 
HER INCOME FROM HER 30,000-STRONG marketing network across 11 countries selling Best World's health and skincare products could last her till the next generation, says Ms Ng, with her husband, Mr Jason Ong, 50, and son, Jaren, 14. But still, she takes no chances, forking out some $24,000 in annual premiums for insurance policies. --ST PHOTO: ALAN LIM
IRENE Ng, 43, almost lost her apartment in 2000 when she could not keep up with the mortgage payments. Her problems started when her business venture, a retail outlet, turned into a money-losing disaster. But Ms Ng took a leap of faith by stocking products of mainboard-listed direct-selling firm Best World Lifestyle at her shop. She later joined the firm as a part-time consultant. The move helped her pull through the crisis, and keep her apartment. She now earns $500,000 a year and has paid off the $100,000 debt from her business. The only direct-selling company listed in Singapore, Best World made its name through the marketing of nutritional supplements, skincare products and health-care equipment. The path towards her $500,000 earnings was not an easy one - Ms Ng says her annual income was below $5,000 when she joined Best World as a part-time consultant in 1999. But she persevered. In 2004, she became a full-time consultant and made it as a platinum director that year, earning $380,000 in annual commissions. Not bad for someone with only secondary school education and who started her working life in a clinic dispensing medicine, before working as a purchaser at an oil rig firm. What she really aspired to, however, was becoming her own boss, so she jumped at the opportunity when friends offered to sell her a retail gift business for just $7,000. She paid for it with her savings. Over time, Ms Ng turned the shop into a health and cosmetic outlet promoting haircare and toiletries. But the venture turned out to be Ms Ng's nightmare for 10 years. 'I got into cash-flow, inventory and staffing problems. With no unique products in my shop, I faced price competition from bigger retail outlets like Watson's,' she recalled. But instead of thinking about when she should close the business, she was constantly on the lookout for a unique range of products. She struck gold when she stumbled upon Best World. When her sales of Best World's products hit the roof, she closed the shop to focus on a full-time career with Best World. Ms Ng now provides training to her 30,000 team members in 11 countries, motivating them and meeting their needs. Q What are your money habits? A In my younger days, I saved 10 to 20 per cent of my pay after giving some to my parents. Now I save 30 per cent of my income. Q What investments do you have? A When I had accumulated a certain level of savings, I sought the advice of a financial planner in 2003. Since then, I have bought four investment-linked insurance plans. I also have a hospitalisation plan. My annual insurance premiums are about $24,000. I don't take unnecessary risks and I believe in leaving my investments with professionals to maximise my returns. As for shares, I prefer to invest in the firm that I believe in most, which is Best World. I buy Best World stock whenever there is a price correction. I trade between 50 and 100 lots and I look for at least a 30 per cent upside before I liquidate. I'm looking for a semi-detached house now. Q How hard did you work in network marketing before achieving some level of success? A I began to see a steady income stream only in my third year of working part-time at Best World, earning nearly $300,000 in commissions from $60,000 in my first year of working part time. In the beginning, I went on a massive exercise to look for suitable 'business builders'. With these, I go all the way, giving them sales support, then following up by accompanying them through training and motivating them to achieve their goals. Credit goes to the strong product range at Best World and the distributor training systems, as well as my dynamic mentors and the founders of Best World, Dr Dora Hoan and Dr Doreen Tan. Q How does your present income compare with your previous jobs and business? A I'm definitely earning much more. When I was in the oil rig firm, I had a fixed monthly pay of $1,800. When I switched to the retail shop business, my monthly income became variable and ranged from $1,000 to $3,000. Now, my annual income is about $500,000. Q Moneywise, what were your growing-up years like? A I was the fourth child but because my parents were poor, I was given away to another poor family. My adoptive mother was a seamstress and my adoptive father was in and out of jobs. I had a younger adoptive brother. I told myself I wanted to do something for them and myself when I grew up. When I was in Secondary 4, my adoptive mother told me that was all the education she could afford to give me. I didn't get angry but decided to make the best of it. Q What has been a bad investment? A It was my retail shop. I ended up with debts of $100,000. It turned around only when I introduced Best World's Dr's Secret range of skincare products to my customers. Q Your best investment to date? A It is in the people I've recruited at Best World. It's a non-stop income stream and can continue to the next generation. Q What is your retirement plan? A I'm not thinking of retiring. At this stage, I'm not thinking of how much I can make. While I continue to do well, I find myself more motivated to doing a lot more to see others transform their lives because they can find their success in Best World. Q And your home now is...? A When I was in my 20s, I bought a 1,600 sq ft, four-bedroom condominium in district 10 around Holland Road. That was in 1988 and it cost $300,000. Its market value is now $1.5 million. | 
As I grow older, skin problems such as black spots, warts and wrinkles especially around my eyes, lips and neck started showing.
Due to hereditary reasons, my family members suffer from serious cases of freckles problems. Even upon using countless skin care products, the freckels probelms do not seem to improve.
I love to try out new things and products. As a beautician, I have been searching for a product that will be able to make my customers and my skin look even more radiant. 
My pigmentation problem around the cheeks began since giving birth in 1991. during that tormented period, I could only step out of the house after putting on heavy make up. 
Since I was 10, I have been the target of constant teasing because my face was full of pimples.
A year ago, my skin starting having a bad bout of pimples. Helpless as I am, I became more and more despondent and did not even dare to go out to meet anyone.
In the past, my skin was full of whiteheads and pimples. It was even itchy sometimes.
I suffered very bad skin damage from using too many different cosmetic products.
Dr Secret has helped enhanced my skin's natural resistance so that it is no longer sensitive as before.
