Richard M. DeVos, Amway Co-Founder Dies at 92
Not sure if you caught it, but Amway co-founder Richard DeVos died recently - Sept. 6, 2018. ( His partner, Jay Van Andel, died in 2004.)
From the articles I've read, he seemed like a real interesting guy.
I like a NY Times story that relates the advice DeVos's father gave him at an early age:
“Own your own business son,” his father advised him. “Own it. Work hard at it. Set high goals for yourself and never give up, no matter what.”
You network marketers might like to read that advice again and pay attention. His father didn't suggest he join a MLM company and harass his friends and relatives to the point they no longer would have anything to do with him, or to work for 70 cents an hour - before expenses, or to max out his credit card and go in financial ruin stock piling over priced junk that no one wanted and had trouble even giving away.
No, his father gave him sound advice that was as good then as it is today - start your own business. It's difficult but that's where the real rewards are. Not being a fool and building someone's business for them working for 70 cents an hour.
Anyways, in 1949, he and Jay Van Andel took $49 and invested the modest amount into manufacturer and vitamin direct-seller Nutrilite. They became independent vitamin distributors and later used the company's person-to-person selling approach when starting Amway with an all-purpose household cleaning product - soap.
They parlayed that $49 into a multi billion dollar company.
Forbes estimates Richard DeVos & family net worth at $5.4B and #351 of the wealthiest Americans. That's a lot of soap!
While I might not approve of the business DeVos started, I have to give him credit for using his wealth wisely . He gave a lot of money away helping humanity - a lifetime contribution of nearly $1.2 billion. The DeVos foundation spread their donations to more than a hundred organizations under the categories of community building, education, health care and arts and culture.
Good for him!
Re: Richard M. DeVos, Amway Co-Founder Dies at 92
Back in 1986 I met Mr. DeVoss and Mr. Van Andel, and their wives, at a charity function I happened to be attending. I even had my picture taken with Mr. DeVoss, which made all the Amway distributors jealous with envy because I was not a part of Amway. They were both very genuine, warm and totally unpretentious, as were their wives Betty and Betsy. You would have never known they were as wealthy as they were by their looks, actions or talking with them. They were gracious to all who talked with them, and indeed was a pleasure meeting them. A fond memory.
Re: Richard M. DeVos, Amway Co-Founder Dies at 92
I also met Rich and Jay at an Amway Convention. My parents were Diamond distributors. Not an easy task before the internet...
Re: Richard M. DeVos, Amway Co-Founder Dies at 92
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Doc Bunkum
“Own your own business son,” his father advised him. “Own it. Work hard at it. Set high goals for yourself and never give up, no matter what.”
I wonder if his intention was to have his son then go on to lie and label customers/workers as “independent business owners” just to grow his business?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EagleOne
They were both very genuine, warm and totally unpretentious, as were their wives Betty and Betsy.
Yep, never met a con artist who wasn’t charming and friendly.
While they may have given money to charity, I wonder what percentage of that is the total amount scammed over the years. Also, how much is a life worth from Amway suicides?
