Micki Morris was a typical PK, short for preacher’s kid. She grew up as the oldest child of a large family and when she was younger she had plans to go to Bible College, marry a God-fearing man and travel the world as a missionary.
However, at 17, she found herself pregnant. Her life, as she once knew it, began to take a different route. Read more about how she overcame life’s curveballs, turned her battles into victories and achieved financial success.
What experiences (negative and positive) shaped you into the woman you are today?
If I'm being 100% honest, I did not imagine my life turning out the way it did at all. I was home-schooled, a Pastor's daughter, and the oldest of a large family.
I imagined myself attending Bible College, meeting a strong Christian man, getting married, maybe traveling the world as a missionary, and eventually having perfect babies that my husband and I would cherish forever. One of those things came true. I did find the love of my life.
But, the rest faded into what reality would really bring. My parents got divorced, my mom remarried someone I did not prefer and I moved to California to be with my dad. I met my high school sweetheart, got pregnant at 17 years old. The day after graduation, I moved to Alaska at 6 months pregnant, and gave birth to my beautiful bi-racial daughter at 18-years-old.
I was a single mom from 6 months pregnant to the first 6 months of her life. I eventually could afford to fly her father to Alaska, got married to my love at 19-years-old, and we have been writing our own story together ever since.
I would be lying if I said it has been easy. We have faced some severe financial issues, poverty, homelessness, betrayal, three miscarriages, as well as the normal everyday stresses of being a young, married, interracial couple. Through every trial, triumph, and test, I am becoming more and more sure of who I am, where I am going, and who God has designed me to be.
Wow. That’s quite a story. What made you decide your career path?
I was never a good employee. I mean, I was punctual, respectful, hard-working, and loved being the over-achiever at the work place. However, I hated the feeling that I wasn’t exuding my true potential under a "boss."
After four different ventures with very different direct sales companies, I finally found the one I excelled in. I am now 9 months into my journey with It Works Global! and I am a Diamond Leader - sitting at the top 1.28% of the company globally.
I decided to start doing my weekly vlogs as I came to a largely respected position in the company and people started paying attention to what I had to say. The more videos I made for my team, the more emotional and tearful messages I would receive in private, thanking me for my words of encouragement.
That's when I decided to start my weekly Couch Talk vlogs on YouTube. I wanted to touch on subjects that were both controversial, and the opinions that are completely backwards from what modern society believes and accepts. It has been a blessing to be a blessing with my words.
What are some obstacles you've had to overcome in the industry and how did you overcome them?
My gosh, everything from dealing with different personalities and different walks of life to dealing with toxic, unprofessional, dishonest people that I have made the decision to distance myself from.
I've had people try this business for a month and then quit. I've had people try this business for 3 months and then quit. I've had people I've invested in and prayed over and loved on and trained every day for 6 months decide to go their separate ways.
I have learned one phrase that has become my motto and my lifeline: "Bless and release." It is as simple as that. God knows who needs to be in your life or in your business, and he also knows the timing and season that those people will both come and go. As a leader, it's my job to be the stronghold. If someone decides to leave, slow down, or walk away; I will bless and release.
What advice do you have for younger girls pursuing a career in direct sales or a platform on YouTube?
For business: Do your research on the up-line that wants to sign you. Don't just join with the first person that asks you. I said "no thank you" to 8 different people the week that I joined this business.
I waited and I prayed over the person I was supposed to join under. While I no longer associate with that person, it is clear to me that I was meant to join under her for such a time as this, and I am forever grateful Jesus softened my heart and gave me the courage to try again after 3 previously failed attempts in different companies. If you are an entrepreneur, embrace it and don't ever give up on yourself.
For vlogs: JUST DO IT. Get started. Stop doubting yourself. If God put a dream seed in your heart, water it and let it grow. You never know who you can encourage with your story!
What are your current and future goals for yourself?
I have two different endeavors I am focused on. I am focused on leading my team to success, and I am focused on continuing with my weekly vlogs and Couch Talks. My next goal with my business is to be promoted to Double Diamond Executive Leader, which comes with an average of $6,000 a month (from my phone) plus monthly and weekly bonuses and I am going to achieve that by July 22nd, 2017.
My goal for my Couch Talk videos and channel is 1,000 subscribers by that same date. I am going to continue to talk about things that are more taboo and different from the norm.
Get more of Micki by subscribing to her YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/mickimorris. You can also keep up with her journey by following her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/micki.morris, where you’ll learn more about her business, her family, and her faith.