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How to Make Six Figures from Scratch

6 figures aint what it used to be… but it’s way better than 5 figures.

But figuring out how to make six figures is challenging or everybody would do it.

In this post, we’ll explore six figure jobs and then look at how anybody, regardless of education, race, ethnicity, age, or gender can build a six figure income from scratch.

It will take grit, determination, courage, and out of the box thinking, but once you get to six figures, you can go on to 7 figures or even 8 figures following our recommendations.

6 Figure Basics we will cover:
The Meaning of 6 Figures
Six Figure Jobs
Other Options for Making 6 Figures
The Best & Lowest Risk Option for 6 Figures

Now, let’s get started…

What Does 6 Figures Mean (or 7 figures or 8 figures)?

the word money spelled in an image of money

A 6, 7, or 8 figure salary or business simply refers to the number of digits in your salary or income.

Note that salary refers to yearly earnings, so a 6 figure salary would mean that you earn six figures per year.

Listed below are the ranges for each:

5 Figures: $10,000 to $99,999
6 Figures: $100,000 to $999,999
7 Figures: $1,000,000 to 9,999,999
8 Figures: $10,000,000 to $99,999,999
9 Figures: $100,000,000 to $999,999,999

And yes, there are people who strive to earn 9 figures a year.

If you want to be a billionaire (with a ‘B”) instead of a millionaire (with an ‘m’), then you probably need to shoot for 9 figures instead of 6 figures since it take 10 figures to be a billionaire and 11 figures to be on the top 10 richest people list.

Wow! Read that sentence again if you need to.

Anywho, a 6 figure salary is a good starting place and most people can live a pretty comfortable life with that much income.

This is especially true if it’s a mid to upper level 6 figure salary.

Something in the range of $500,000 – $999,999 per year.

If you landed on this page looking for how to make $100,000 a year, you’ve come to the right place, but let me challenge your thinking a little.

Why weren’t you searching for how to make 7 figures or 8 figures?…

Aim high my friend, you only live once.

But I digress…

How Can You Get a Six Figure Salary?

Option 1: Find a job that pays at least $100,000 a year.

These jobs are going to require specialized skills and knowledge though. Usually they have some very stringent educational requirements.

Not all the jobs below pay 6 figures out of the gate, but with enough experience and a good track record you could get there fairly easy.

Some of them do pay that amount upfront.

Just be prepared to spend lots of time in college and on the job to get the specialized knowledge and experience needed for these professions.

Top List of 6 Figure Jobs

  • Private Island Caretaker

private island with huts and hammock

  • Actuary
  • Optometrist
  • General Surgeon
  • Oral Surgeon
  • Plastic Surgeon
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Neurosurgeon
  • Maybe I should have just put Surgeon of any kind
  • Orthodontist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Piadiatrician
  • Dentist
  • Anesthesiologist
  • Marketing Manager
  • Lawyer
  • Pharmacist
  • IT Manager
  • Information Systems Manager
  • Physicist
  • Air Traffic Controller
  • Airline Pilots
  • Petroleum Engineers
  • CEO’s (Chief Executive Officers)
  • President of the United States (Surprisingly, the president of the most powerful nation in the world receives a salary of only $400,000)

This list could go on, but unless you’re still in high school or college, you probably won’t get any of these jobs because you won’t be in a position to get the required specialized knowledge you would need (the exception to this is the private island caretaker, you just need to find somebody who needs that service).

You could always go back to school and start the long process of getting the higher education you need for these jobs.

If that doesn’t work for you but you’re determined to work your way up to a large income anyway, then keep reading.

Other Options for Creating a 6 Figure Income

There are a few other options for creating a high income that don’t require higher education but they do require skills in other areas.

other ways to earn six figures

  • Actor/Actress – This career path can lead to well over six figures. Some of the best Hollywood stars pull in 10 or 20 millions dollars per film. That’s in the 8 figure range. The problem is you need experience and success after success before (and if) you make that kind of money.
  • Professional Athlete – I’m pretty sure if you’re talented enough to take this route you would already know it. If you’ve never thought about it and you’re past your college days… it’s too late. You missed that train.
  • Real Estate Mogul – If you build up a large enough portfolio, real estate can get you there. You’ll have to take a lot of risk and probably borrow a lot of money to make it happen, but it’s definitely a possibility and you don’t need any formal education.
  • Best Selling Author– This would take time and a hit. If you’re creative and a phenomenal story teller, it could be the road for your to travel. Think Stephen King, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, or Dan Brown.
  • Music Icon – If you’re gifted at music, there you go. Go create a double-triple-quadruple platinum record and you are on your way.

The Best Option for a 6 Figure Income
(Or 7 Figures or 8 Figures)

We’ve established that most six figure and up jobs require specialized training or education, lots of invested time and experience, lots of risk, or natural ability.

But what if there was another road?
A road that led to infinite possibilities.
A road that allowed anyone to get there that would make the journey?

sign leading to possibility of six figure salaryWhat if there was a way an average person could build up to a 6 figure, 7 figure, or 8 figure income with minimal risk?

There is actually a way you can do this.

It’s the road less traveled.

You’ll need to set aside your preconceived notions and allow me to walk you through rethinking something you may have been quick to judge in the past.

The option I’m referring to is network marketing.

I know, I know… but before you click off the site and jump to conclusions, I encourage you to keep an open mind and continue reading.

You may learn something that can alter your thinking a little bit and if you still aren’t interested in the industry, maybe you’ll have more understanding the next time a friend wants to show you a home based business.

You may also learn some of the benefits network marketing has over the traditional business model.

I could be wrong, if so, no big deal.

You’ll lose 5 minutes of your life investigating something you’re curious to explore.

Besides, it’s just you and me here (actually, it’s just you)… nobody will ever know you kept reading.

Reasons Why You Don’t Like Network Marketing

smiley face of six figure network marketing earnerLet’s face it, network marketing has a negative connotation for most people.

That’s changing at a rapid pace but for now it’s still basically negative.

With more and more people promoting their businesses on social media, the tide is shifting though.

Network marketing is starting to be viewed as a viable and socially acceptable business model for building a small stream of income, supplementing retirement, or for total income replacement.

Industry leaders such as Eric WorreRay Higdon, and others are starting to funnel resources into helping to change the negativity around the network marketing industry.

There was a time when franchising wasn’t seen as completely legitimate either.

Over time, people have warmed up to it.

Actually, according to Entrepreneur.com, people may give franchising more credit than it deserves.

But perception is reality.

Franchising, once frowned upon, is now seen by the masses as legitimate, even if it doesn’t always provide what people think it will.

So if there’s a negative connotation about network marketing for you, I would suggest it’s because of a few reasons you might not have realized.

Let’s unpack them one by one and see if they hold up to scrutiny.

#1) You Never Really Examined It Based On Its Own Merits

I know having this as the first bullet here was risky, but it’s really the only logical place to start because some of the other reasons you may dislike network marketing stem from this.

Perhaps you’ve never stopped to take a real look at network marketing on it’s own merits.

It’s not a perfect industry, but none are.

I hope you can take something of value from this site, even if it’s just an awareness of your own predispositions.

So I encourage you to suspend your preconceived notions (just for a moment) as we examine some other reasons you dislike network marketing.

#2) Network Marketing is Spammy and Unprofessional

If you hold this view I would suggest that you consider the following – Perhaps you feel this way because of a bad network marketer… not because of a bad industry.

Ouch. Harsh but true.

Perhaps your friend, brother, cousin, or stranger approached you in an unprofessional manner and was desperate to “sign you up”.

Since the barrier of entry is so low financially, anybody can get into the game.

This means that a professional, well spoken individual can build a business.

It also means even those with good intentions (but few skills) can attempt to build business without first getting the training and skills necessary to be successful.

In doing so, they typically repulse those around them by their shady and slimy tactics.

The good news is, you don’t have to build a network marketing organization in that manner and you don’t have to be viewed as that guy (or gal).

To see our system, here is a link to an online funnel we use.

This funnel has sponsored 2 people into my business this week already…. without me ever talking to anybody.

That’s because I focus on the “marketing” part of network marketing.

It’s a Pyramid – Only the Person At the Top Makes Money

Ahhh yes…. The old pyramid scheme argument. Otherwise known as a ponzi scheme.

In a pyramid or ponzi scheme, the person at the top makes all the money.

You know why?
It’s because he (or she) is stealing it from you.

Typically, these scams require a large initial investment and no product moves hands.

In a Ponzi scheme, you make money from recruiting.

After recruiting a certain number of people, you (theoretically) get your money back.

Usually these scams are well disguised though, which is why people are legitimately concerned.

The largest ponzi scheme in history was created by Bernie Madoff, who burnt through 20 Billion (with a B) dollars of investor capital.

This crime was committed over a 20 year period (give or take).

That’s a long run and made it look like a very solid and legitimate investment since it was positioned as an investment firm.

None of these investors even knew they were being defrauded because Madoff sent out fabricated financial statements.

The only Ponzi scheme bigger than that is the way the feds create and infuse capital into the American financial market…. but that’s an entirely different issue that would need it’s own blog post (and maybe a book).

In network marketing though, rarely do you need to put up a bunch of money.

I joined my current company and ordered the biggest package they had and it was only $1500.

All of that (except the $49 enrollment fee) was for physical product (you can’t be in business without product).

In the Bernie Madoff scheme, some people invested their life savings.

We’re talking tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Now that’s risky business.

In a legitimate network marketing business, you don’t need to put up large sums of money.

Even if you had $50,000 to invest, unless you’re buying part of the company, you can’t really do it.

Your extra capital can be used for online marketing.

In this business model, you are paid for your ability to build an organization of product users.

Some will be customers and some will be distributors like yourself.

But the important distinction is that you’re being paid to move a product or products that people want.

On top of that, you are paid by your ability to maximize the compensation plan based on your skills and effectiveness.

In my first company I spent 2-3 years building a good sized organization and was making decent money.

Then somebody was enrolled in my organization who blew past my rank and earnings in 90 days.

The kicker is, in this business model when somebody does that, you benefit financially.

It’s called leverage and that settled it once and for all for me… network marketing is the best business model available to the average person.

People are paid for their ability to build and lead teams, as well as move product.

They are not paid for something as trivial as when they “got in”.

If somebody “underneath” you can build a better organization and make more money than you, it’s not a pyramid.

Some argue that when you draw out the organizational chart it looks like a pyramid.

It seems to me, that’s just a way to justify calling it a pyramid scheme without understanding what a pyramid is.

If you were to draw out the organizational chart of any business or governmental organization it would resemble a pyramid.

And quite frankly, the person at the top of that chart probably gets paid the most, whether they are the CEO, President, or Owner.

It’s just how organizations are structured.

Nobody Makes Money Because the
Compensation Plan is Set Up for Failure

This is an interesting argument and 20-30 years ago, I would say it was a legitimate argument.

However, the network marketing industry has developed, matured, and evolved over the years.

The newer compensation models make it possible for people with average skills to make a good deal of money and those with above average skills to make ridiculous money.

Think of it this way. Amway (yeah, I mentioned them), was the pioneer of this industry.

model T by Henry FordIn the same way Henry Ford created the model T, Amway created a new wealth vehicle that gave people an opportunity to succeed.

The problem with their model was that it was slow, hard to drive, and had lots of moving parts.

Most people couldn’t drive it.
Most couldn’t make it work.

Do you know why Ford’s early car was called a model T?

It was because Ford’s first attempts (Models A-S) were failures.

People don’t drive Model T’s anymore unless they’re at a car show.

My point here is this, vehicles have evolved over the years.

There is more speed, power, luxury, and safety now.

Tesla is currently redefining the industry once again.

The same kind of development has happened in network marketing over the past few decades.

The new compensation plans have evolved dramatically.

They are easier and faster to drive.

Unlike the compensation plans at the infancy of the industry, the new compensation plans make success possible and more feasible.

Does it mean everybody will make money? No.

Just like in regular business, profitability is based on your ability to get results.

This scares some people who are looking for a magic wand to fill their bank account.

It doesn’t scare the right people though.

Savvy business people understand and appreciate this.

Paying for performance is fantastic because those who work the hardest and produce the most… earn the most.

The lottery ticket mentality that is accepted and condoned by amateurs in this business is what turns thinking people into skeptics.

So don’t buy into that model and if you ever get involved don’t promote it.

Don’t tell people it’s easy.
It’s not, it’s hard.

But the payoff is worth it.

If Network Marketing is Legit, Why do So Many People Fail?

Failure in this industry is for the same reasons as anything else in life.

1. Lack of True Commitment– The barrier of entry into network marketing is still ridiculously low.

For many companies you can pay a minimal amount (less than $200) and technically be in business.

This produces a sea of people getting into business without thinking it through, without establishing a plan, or because somebody told them it’s an easy way to get rich.

Without true commitment and with false expectations, they are destined to fail.

This lack of commitment is rampant in our society.
It’s human nature.

I don’t care how easy something is, people aren’t big on commitment.

Commitment to take action.
Commitment to learn.
Commitment to grow.

Interestingly, if you decide to build a network marketing organization, most of your growth will come from a small handful of committed people.

That’s just how it works out.

It’s not that everybody couldn’t do it… they just don’t.

2. Business is Business- According to the Small Business Association, about 50% of all businesses survive to five years.

That’s not even saying they are highly profitable or even profitable at all, just that they survive.

Failure is part of entrepreneurship.

Based on what I’ve seen, the quit rate (i.e. failure rate) in network marketing is probably more than 50%.

However, quitting and failing are two very different things.

Often in my organization, the people who quit actually never even started.

It’s hard to quit something you never started.

front door to a business with sign that says openImagine I opened up a shop and never went in to work, never advertised, and never told people I was in business.

Could you really say I failed after 6 months or should you just say I changed my mind?

If I did that in the real world everybody would call me an idiot and maybe even more colorful things.

For some reason, in network marketing the blame is shifted to the company.

I’m not saying there aren’t bad companies or compensation plans out there, I’m just saying that I’ve seen people fail because they never actually tried.

Then I’ve seen them blame it on everything else but themselves.

Unfortunately, because the initial investment is so small, people simply change their mind and never start.

It’s not like they’re going to lose their house or car or something.

But, based on what I’ve seen in my own organizations, the people who actually go out and do the work to build a business, rarely fail.

They don’t always create their income goals as fast they want to, but do any of us entrepreneurs ever really get to where we want to be as fast as we want?

There’s always another mountain to climb.

Why Network Marketing is
Still the Best Viable Option

Even if you hate the initial idea of network marketing, it is still the best option for entrepreneurs who want to create substantial income with low financial risk.

It is perfect for business people who either don’t have a lot of money to risk or simply don’t want to risk it.

There is very little overhead; expenses don’t increase as your business grows and becomes more profitable.

There is no hiring, no firing, no employee insurance and training, no logistics, and no production to worry about.

There’s nothing else even in the same ballpark in terms of ROI.

In fact, the biggest challenge newly successful network marketers are going to have is making sure they set aside enough for taxes. Uncle Sam will get his share.

This isn’t an issue as long as you make it a habit, but there is very little you can write off once you’re super profitable.

Imagine making a six figure (or 7 figure) income and your expenses being a monthly product order of $300, some basic business supplies, some marketing, and maybe a few conferences.

If you make $500,000 and your business only costs you a complete total of $15,000 to run for the year… you better have some money for Uncle Sam stored away somewhere.

Do You Want to Generate 6 Figures?

You’ve come to this page, looking for a way to generate 6 figures or earn a 6 figure salary.

Maybe it’s out of curiosity but if you’ve read all the way to here (or even scanned), then something here resonates with you or you have a deep desire to create financial abundance in your life.

If nothing changes… nothing changes.

Ask yourself if you can possibly get what you want out of life if you stay on the same path.

If the idea of starting something with an incredible financial upside and extremely low financial risk intrigues you, I encourage you take immediate action and then learn as you earn.

If you’re not ready for that, then feel free to explore our site some more and continue to research.

We’re always looking for solid team members to add to our growing team.

The two most important characteristics are that must have some courage and be hungry. The hungrier you are for success and change, the better you will do.

Please reach out to us if you want to explore whether or not we would be a fit for each other.

There are many ways to build and we an find one that works for you.

If you make the cut, we will work hand in hand to help you start working toward financial freedom.

As usual, if you found this article helpful, we would highly appreciate a social media share and/or comment.

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Also, if you’re here because you have a void in your life, it may not be something that can be filled financially.

C.S. Lewis wrote that “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probably explanation is that we were made for another world”.

If that resonates with you, check out what world you were made for and how you can fill that void.

Live Boldly and God Bless,

Jason & Daniele