If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. AND while you're here, Want to know my #1 source of FREE traffic? It's not the Search Engines. Click here now to find out... Thanks for visiting! So What is “Success,” Really?
Webster defines success as:
1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
3. a successful performance or achievement
4. a person or thing that is successful
I receive emails ALL the time from people congratulating me on how successful I am. I’ve even ran across a few places where people introduce me as a successful business woman. While I’m truly honored by such remarks, I don’t see myself with the world’s perception (of monetary) success.
To *me* success means that in some way or another, I’ve helped someone. Quite frankly, I only see myself as a success because I choose to serve God without compromise.
 I use to be involved in a lot of different things. You could say I was all over the place, running fast going no where and sometimes in places where I could help others. I’m the type of person who loves ideas and am often intrigued with various business models. I use to jump at anything that came my way because I believed I could do it all! Not so.
2006 and 2007 were two of the most challenging years of my life. Most people tend to think it was 2002 when Ruben passed away. Quite the contrary. 2002 was actually the beginning of experiencing what most deem a successful business in the industry of network marketing and if you read my previous message concerning my husband, you’ll know exactly why it wasn’t so challenging.
In 2006 is when I left that network marketing company. There were things that happened that I chose not to be a part of. When I walked away from that company, I was actually the first African American female (in that company) to achieve the “Gold Executive” pin level. These positions had to cycle 10 complete times to qualify at this level (each cycle represents $1k). I was on the National Training Circuit and traveled quite a bit. It was truly a wonderful experience. To make what could be a very long story short, this was definitely a period in my life when I had to make what I call a “wisdom choice.”
I walked away from something that definitely changed my current lifestyle. I wasn’t involved in anything else so there was no other income there. Toward’s the end of this career, I began to see my income falling tremendously. I had put all my eggs in one basket… there was nothing else to pull from.
I don’t know if you’ve experienced losing a lot, it’s a hard thing to swallow. I could no longer be associated with haughty spirits of pride, deception and lies. In spite of everything that started happening, I knew I had made the right choice and later wrote a report informing others on How to Avoid Deception in Direct Sales even in the midst of losings thousands per month.
I have to tell you, I was so confused at that time. I couldn’t pay bills, I mean even down to the basic needs… I couldn’t meet. It was rough BUT God, always made a way.
I started looking for work but in the meantime, I needed to make some money. I had previously read about Affiliate Marketing and thought I could possibly make ends meet while I looked for work. It worked! But I wasn’t John Reese, Alice Seba or Rosalind Gardner and some of the other big names you see as “Super” Affiliates. As a matter of fact, I was just a tad pole in the ocean.
Still involved with Christians-In-Business.com and ChristianBusinessTalkRadio.com, mind you, these were truly labors of love and there was just is NO money in this niche. People were requesting to interview me and wanted to do joint ventures, why? I have no clue but I count it all joy and I’m still very grateful for those opportunities.
In the latter part of 2006 I met up with a wonderful friend by the name of Lynette Chandler of TechBasedMarketing.com. When it comes to internet technology, Lynette, in my opinion is the one who has the answers and if she doesn’t, she’ll lead you in the right direction. Lynette and I formed a partnership, offering ecommerce solutions for the small business community, particularly work at home moms (wahms). We saw a need that these businesses really couldn’t afford and went to work on serving that need and launched, www.Wahmcart.com, today I’m so grateful to see this business model growing every single month (Lynette is truly a blessing in my life, one I’m thoroughly grateful for.)
Here Comes the Curve Ball
Have you had someone hit you so hard that the blow actually felt like the wind was knocked out of you and you couldn’t breathe? If not, I pray that you NEVER experience anything like what I’m about to share with you.
I’ve waited a VERY long time to tell you about this. Simply because it’s been said that you don’t mix your personal life into your business life and, to some degree, I agree with it. So why am I choosing to tell you? Because I want to let everyone know who Regina Baker truly is and that I’m human just like everyone else. I’m not the world’s perception of success, I am God’s daughter with a desire to make a difference in the lives of masses of people, that to me is real success. When I can help people realize a positive difference in their lives - that’s success!
When we were growing up, my parents did everything they could to keep hate, prejudice, drugs and deception away from us. We were showered with as much love as they could muster up. Both of my parents worked and believed very strongly in Education. When we talked about our desires of an Entrepreneur Lifestyle, my Dad would say, “that sounds good but you are going to have a real job and if you want to do something on the side, fine, but working a job should be your priority.”
My Brother and I did what he said but we still couldn’t shake the “feelings” we had about being our own Boss, especially Reggie! Although he worked as an Architect, he started a clothing and furniture business on the side.
Reggie went to school, never got in trouble, didn’t hang around a lot of guys and eventually got his degree in Architectural Engineering. Because he didn’t do what most guys did his age, he was considered somewhat nerdy… he wasn’t educated to the “streets.” He’s NEVER been in trouble before. He doesn’t have a “record!” Anyone he’s ever met, he took them for their word and never looked at them as being deceitful even if they were! He just saw the story a person would paint for him.
Reggie met a lady through an online dating service who fed him a bunch of lies that he fell for and because of his decision to sincerely help this person, he is now in prison. You can read the story here.
I can’t begin to tell you what this has done to my family. What I do know is this, there are so many people who’s lives have been effected like this for years and it’s not until it knocks at your front door that you could ever begin to know the world we live in today. Our parents tried to shelter us from experiencing this. We had no clue what “con-artist” meant. We didn’t know people do these things every single day and have been for years.
Laid My Life Down
Scripture reads: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 Honestly speaking, I’ve heard that scripture many times over but never knew the real meaning until I was faced with the choice.
Since then, I’ve had an interesting journey to say the least. I’ve stopped doing a lot of things that really served no purpose. I left my residence to move in with my 72 year old Mother who has had a difficult time dealing with what has happened with my brother. She doesn’t like being alone. I talk to my Mom A LOT! I have to, to keep her encouraged and give her comfort. Most of the times that I leave home, she’s with me.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t research organizations, the news media and organizations who have the resources to help bring attention to this horrible challenge. Sometimes I’m on the computer 15 hours a day except on Fridays. Every Friday, my Mom and I make a 6 hour round trip drive to see him for two hours. I made the vow to him that he will see our face every week until he walks out! YES, I’ve LAID my life down! Praise God!
 We send him books of encouragement, letters and keep money on his account for food and toiletries. Reggie’s first attorney “sold” him over to the prosecution. Of course we didn’t now anything like that ever existed until it was too late. Since then we’ve been blessed with a very good Law Firm, and a quite expensive one to say the least. Right now we’re faced with the challeng of raising $50k to settle his attorney fees. We have no clue where it’s going to come from because we’ve exhausted over $45k of our own monies - but we declare by faith, that it’s coming. Just recently a very prominent news reporter who we can’t mention as of yet, is now taking on the story and will air it on a wide spread news channel.
There are many months that I experience the possibility of my internet connection being turned off, not being able to pay my car note on the due date because his needs come first.
Now, ask the question again… is Regina successful? Yes I am. Because we’re going to beat this. This experience alone will allow me to inform less fortunate families on how to survive when mentally, they don’t think they can. It is my desire to teach individuals on how to see deception 100 miles away! Am I deemed monetarily successful when it comes to marketing, producing information products and coaching, probably not, but that’s not what matters to me anyway.
I pray everyday, that God will show us the way to raise what is needed to pay this debt. It’s this debt that keeps people from doing what they should be doing to save a life, unfortunately they don’t see it this way, they only see dollar signs. He’s never been in a situation like this so it is very important that we keep his mind alert and stayed on Jesus! It is my desire that 1000 people will have the heart to donate $50 to Justice 4 Reggie here. Will it happen?
“I’ve pitched my tent in the Land of Hope”
 The word of God reassures me that “faith is the substance of things HOPED for, and the evidence of things unseen.“ Faith can only manifest in the life of a believer. Thus, I believe! Everything is a testing of our faith. We are going through the fire and choose NOT to give up because God’s glory shall be seen in all of this. We don’t whine or complain, we seek solutions. We have attitudes of expectancy! We refuse to get bitter because the joy of the Lord, is our strength AND we’re victorious and NOT victims!
“God never aborts a dream,
God never disqualifies you,
God never gives up on you,
Mercy counts us in, not out!”
Why I Continue This Ezine
 Some people wonder, why, in the mist of all of this, do I continue the ezine? Because I have been appointed for such a time as this, to empower others with the purpose of Christians in business and our roles as Christians doing business by the book without compromise. Whatever I’ve been blessed to know as a business person, I desire to share with you. I desire to teach people to NOT compromise their faith in the midst of uncertainty and that you can reach your goals when you make a commitment and stick to it no matter what the enemy tries to make you believe based on a temporary situation. The word of God reassures us that “no good thing will He withhold from us,” amen?
After all of this is over, I’m going to complete the final writings of my book in which I believe will be a blessing to people all over the world and the unveiling of a non-profit organization for families of the unjustly accused.
I pray that this message has shown you who Regina Baker really is. It’s never been about my success, it’s always been about serving the needs of others. Lastly, please understand that this is not a letter of pity or some kind of “feel sorry for me” type of thing. No, instead please PRAY for us as I continue to pray for you.
To God be the Glory for the Things HE has done!
P.S. If you know of any organizations or fundraisers that might be a benefit to Reggie’s cause here, please do NOT hesitate to contact me. Thank you!
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January 6th, 2008 at 2:08 am
Oh Regina,
Thanks for sharing this with me! Today was not a good day for me. But reading this post has encouraged me in ways you will never know. Too many times we think we are the only ones going through and we are not. I try to remember this and Regine today your post reminded me of that fact.
I will be praying for your brother, your mom, you and praising God for the fund to take care of the legal issue Reggie is in.
Know that while I cannot afford to give, i can afford to pray and have faith in God for justice. I am doing that with you today and everyday!
January 6th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Hi Regina,
Thank you for sharing these personal details that reveal your tremendous strength and faith and love of family.
Success is a quality of life issue for me; not a quantity of dollars issue….
I have a saying that I adopted from a dear lady who is now dead. It is: “God first; family second; and everything else third.”
You truly are a successful woman of faith, who is guided by love, compassion, a desire to serve and a passion for justice.
Blessings,
Cynthia
January 6th, 2008 at 10:12 am
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January 6th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Regina,
I’m praying for all of your family, and again am so sorry to hear about what happened to your brother. I want to thank you so much though for sharing this story. Your openness and authenticity is not just encouraging to others, but offers others the freedom to be real as humans, as Christians, as business owners online. Thank you for your courage in just saying, “This is who I am, and this is my journey…”
Much love,
Anne
January 6th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Regina,
Thank you for sharing your story. So sorry for the circumstances your brother is facing. I pray God gets the victory and glory in this situation. With God ALL THINGS are possible!!!
((Hugs & Prayers))
Rhonda
January 6th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
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January 6th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
love you Regina! Give Reggie and your mom a big Canadian ((HUG)) from me. Marlo
January 7th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Much love to you my Sister. God is with your family, your mom and Reggie. God has not left or forsaken any of you. He is there with you as you go through the trials. OOOh I am excited to see what he does, because GOD wins even in all of this. God bless you abundantly for your transparency which most people will not do. I look forward to hearing the testimonies that you, Reggie and your mom WILL share. Much love and hugs to you all.
Dr. Taffy
January 7th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Thank you for sharing your story. I pray God continues to give you and your Mom strength until that glorious day when your brother comes home a free man. Free and clear of all charges. Much love my sister in Christ.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Dearly beloved Regina, Thanks for being honest and sharing your story. I prayed for you, your Mom and Reggie, and shall continue to pray. I pray that this need be met in Jesus mighty name and Reggie is free and you write your book. I shall send some thing when I am able as we are experiencing financial difficulties due to the war in our country (Sri Lanka) and our travel business (www.usunnyholidays.com) is at a standstill with no tourists as a result. I would also love to learn and join you in any internet business I can (I am not knowledgable in internet business at the moment) and hope to learn from you. As you say, and also we hear that there are many frauds and cheating on the internet that we just don’t wish to pursue business on the internet but on the other hand willing to pursue if its honest and good.
I am an Evangelist & have a home based travel business in Sri Lanka we started in 2006! I live with my wife and two children in Ratmalana, Sri Lanka.
Keep up your strong faith in our glorious Lord Jesus and He is going to see you through. We are standing with you in faith.
In His Loving Kindness!
Errol Eardly
EVANGELIST
Errol Eardly Ministries, 79/2, Attidiya Road, Ratmalana 10370, Sri Lanka.
Websites: http://www.ErrolEardly.org; http://www.usunyholidays.com.
Email: errol@erroleardly.org
Tel / Fax: 00-94-11-2605141