Ladan Lashkari: If this girl can succeed - so can you!
Edition #116
It’s been almost two weeks since I wrote the last edition of Eric’s Tips. I’ve been feeling lately that it’s time for something different, so I decided to stop writing altogether until I came up with something inspirational.
Last week I found the inspiration that I was looking for.
I want to tell you about a young woman who has overcome some extreme obstacles on her brief but challenging journey to internet marketing success.
Her name is Ladan Lashkari, and when I say she’s a young woman, that’s an understatement. At just 20 years old, she has a youthful look that defies the maturity she’s developed in such a short time.
Ladan Lashkari
I suppose in the online world, youthful success is not entirely unusual (I met a couple of 21-year-old internet millionaires last month in New York), but this story hasn’t even begun yet.
The fact that she’s a girl making money on the internet becomes much more significant when you realize where she comes from.
She lives in Iran.
When I came across that tidbit of information on one of her sites I was like, “are you serious?”
Make no mistake! like most Americans I’m ignorant in many ways! but I have heard a few things about Iran and its culture.
I know just barely enough to understand that a girl becoming a successful internet marketer in Iran is about the same as the Denver Nuggets winning the Superbowl! and yeah I know those are two different sports.
So I had to find out if it was true.
After several email exchanges, and some online investigation on my part, it became apparent that she is indeed the real deal. As I’ve gotten to know her a little bit over the past week, an incredible story has unraveled that needs to be told.
Maybe you’ll watch her life story in a movie some day, or see her on the front cover of Time magazine! either way just remember that you saw it on Eric’s Tips first 
Ladan was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and lives there to this day.
There are political, economical, and religious obstacles that make it difficult for anyone to be a successful internet marketer in Iran, and in most cases even more difficult for a woman to do so.
With respect for Ladan, I’m not going to get into the details of the specific political and religious barriers that many women face in Iran, but just be aware that this story runs even deeper than I’m able to write about.
If internet marketing was a wrestling match, she’s starting the competition with one hand tied behind her back simply because of the place she was born into the world.
Next obstacle: the language barrier.
Although you wouldn’t know it from her articles and sales letters, Ladan was not born into an English-speaking family. She started learning the language at eight years of age, and devoured every English book she could get her hands on.
Even at such a young age, she began to realize that her fluency in English would open up more doors of opportunity throughout her life. Throughout her teen years, this fervor grew as she tackled the language head-on.
A true entrepreneur, she decided that she wanted to become independent and produce her own income. When her family bought a computer, she quickly began experimenting with ways she could turn it into an income stream. She tried all kinds of business; teaching Windows, graphic designing with PhotoShop, website design, and even learned C++ programming.
Even though she was able to make money through those avenues, she knew that there was a bigger opportunity out there.
At sixteen years of age, she discovered the world of internet marketing through the late Cory Rudl’s website. She bought and studied his internet marketing course, along with other ebooks and resources.
She knew right away that THIS was the business she wanted to be in.
Her friends and family tried to convince her that becoming a successful internet marketer in Iran would be IMPOSSIBLE, and that she shouldn’t continue to waste her money. If you’ve ever faced the negative energy of friends and family, you’ll understand that it’s a powerful force that can quench your enthusiasm and ultimately abort the launch of a new business.
Fortunately, her father believed in her, and the resistance of others made her more determined than ever to find success.
After about a year of learning and studying the business, she launched her first website, and the rest–as they say–is history. But that history has not been without its fair share of bumps and valleys.
Jumping into business forced her to take her English proficiency to a new level. For a long time it was difficult to read and comprehend the many technically-oriented ebooks that she acquired.
And if reading comprehension was a challenge, writing was an even bigger issue.
It would take her six hours to write and proofread an article, but her determination paid off. Today if you search for her name on a search engine, you’ll find a slew of her articles indexed all over the internet.
And as if writing weren’t enough, she wanted to write her own sales copy. Anyone who’s ever successfully written a sales letter will concur that being a good writer doesn’t make someone a good copywriter.
I’m amazed to say that Ladan is a good copywriter. Being a copywriter myself, I wouldn’t say that if it weren’t true. She applied the same vigor to learning the craft, as she applied to learning the language itself.
She studied articles and courses from the top copywriters, and practiced until she had developed her own style. While there is obviously some innate talent at work here, I’d say that she is also a testament that copywriting CAN be learned.
Starting her business was the beginning of a long uphill battle.
Because of the US embargo on Iran, she faces obstacles that most of us wouldn’t imagine. As I mentioned, her culture has already tied one hand behind her back. The language barrier effectively tied the other one. And the following problems essentially tied her feet!a situation that would cripple most marketers and paralyze them from moving forward in business.
Most people wouldn’t jump into a new business with their hands and feet tied. It’s impossible, right? Just don’t use the word “impossible” around Ladan!
To start with, she couldn’t get a credit card. That makes it pretty tough to buy anything online, wouldn’t you say?
My business relies on my credit cards for many things. Not a day goes by without several business-related charges to my credit card.
As I think about it, many of the products and services that I use come from sites that ONLY accept credit cards.
She can’t open a PayPal account. Again, this limits her ability to make online purchases. It also rules her out of participating in a large number of affiliate programs that only pay commissions via PayPal.
Of course probably the biggest disadvantage of not having a PayPal account is not being able to accept PayPal payments. She estimates that this one issue is costing her many thousands of dollars in lost sales.
She can’t get a merchant account, so it becomes very difficult to sell anything online.
She can’t have a bank account in US dollars. So that rules out another possibility of making or receiving payments.
To make matters worse, she can’t have any bank account that accepts wire transfers. This cripples her ability to receive payments from affiliate programs to her bank account, or from merchant services for her own products. So even if she can find a way to sell a product online, getting that money into her own hands is a huge obstacle.
She can’t cash any USD checks. That rules out most of the other affiliate programs.
She can’t travel. It’s almost impossible for her to get a visa to travel outside of Iran. This means that she has not been able to go abroad to attempt to open up accounts, and she can not attend any internet marketing seminars.
Those are just some of the barriers created by the embargo. There are many more limitations imposed by the Iranian government.
On top of these physical barriers, she also faces another kind of discrimination that continues to this day.
In a business built upon online image and perceived trust, she has been severely disadvantaged by the way much of the world views Iranians.
As she puts it, “the reactions are not very pleasant.”
She thinks it’s mainly due to the way the media has portrayed Iran and Islam. This has made it difficult to be open and build relationships online, as she has found that even her own subscribers, customers, and business associates look at her differently when they discover she is from Iran.
She says, “some people even act like I am a terrorist”.
She has received “hate” emails through her websites and also on forums.
“I know who I am and where I stand,” says Ladan, “but what the media shows the world and what my country’s government does has nothing to do with me. So I just wish people in the west - especially the United States - would understand this difference.”
Let me ask you a few questions!
Do you have a credit card?
Do you have a PayPal account?
Can you open a US bank account?
Can you receive US checks?
Do you have the freedom to travel?
Could you go to an internet marketing seminar?
Maybe you didn’t answer “Yes” to ALL of those questions, but for EACH question you answered “yes” to, you are starting one step ahead of Ladan.
Let me ask you a couple more questions!
Are you fluent in English?
If you said “Yes”, take two more steps ahead.
Do people view you as a terrorist?
No? Take three more steps ahead.
If this girl can do it, so can YOU. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are!it doesn’t matter where you live in the world! it doesn’t matter what other internal and external factors are trying to hold you down.
You CAN succeed.
In spite of all her challenges, Ladan views internet marketing as an easy opportunity to take advantage of, and she encourages others to do as she has done!
“I think there’s nothing hard about it. It’s the perfect kind of business for people who want to be independent and work for themselves in a business that there’s no limit to your success.”
If you’re just getting started, she has more advice,
“When you are just getting started, you should know it might take some time to make the amount of money you expect, and you should keep on and don’t give up - no matter how people around you try to disappoint you. I think this is the most important and difficult part… it’s where most people give up.”
In the three short years that she’s been in business, she’s worked hard and implemented many strategies that she’s learned by studying other successful marketers.
Out of everything she’s tried, she deems list-building as the most important component of her business,
“Nothing is more powerful than building a targeted responsive list and building a relationship with that list.”
While her income may not yet be on par with the internet marketing superstars, she’s earning a living online that would impress even those of us living in a more generous economy (she recently earned $6300 USD in a month).
The thing that must be kept in mind is that she is making more money than about 95% of the people in her country, and bringing home more income than her countrymen who have 30+ years of experience in their careers.
I’d love to see what she’d be capable of achieving outside the restraints of her county, and so would she, which is one reason she is considering a move to a locale more conducive of her business–such as Canada or Australia.
She says the biggest key to success is, “Believing in yourself, and promising yourself that you WILL reach your goals and won’t let anything or anyone stop you.”
When I asked her what makes her different from those who fail, she said that her success is derived from her persistence in facing and overcoming challenges and obstacles.
She points out one of her favorite quotes from Ross Perot,
“Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from a winning touchdown.”
When she’s not working on her business, she enjoys reading self-improvement books (who would have guessed?), dancing, watching movies, spending time in nature, and going out with friends.
In other words, she’s just a normal girl with big plans and an indomitable positive attitude.
Today she has more than 20 websites, and she hopes to expand her business by 400% while continuing to help others find their own success.
You can learn more about Ladan and her business at these sites:
Ladan’s blog
Newsletter templates
Product ideas
List profit club
Consult with Ladan
As Ladan says,
“If a young girl who got started when she was only 16 years old, with no previous business experience, with English being her second language, with less than $30 to her name, in a country where you can’t have a credit card or PayPal account and is under a strict embargo from United States, and so much more limitations…
If such a girl can succeed, how is it possible that YOU can’t succeed - while you may not even have one of these limitations?”
Ladan will never give up.
I hope you don’t either.
As always, you can leave your comments here in the blog.
Have a great day!
We have absolutely no excuses now. Not that we had before anyway. Go, go, go Ladan. When you write your auto-biography, put me down for a copy…. I’ll even learn Arabic to read it! Please accept all our best wishes from the ‘easy’ side of the fence. Much respect, Steve (UK)
Goodjob Ladan Lashkari, all the best
Excellent - Excellent - Excellent article!
It isn’t often you find a life story as compelling as Ladan’s! Everyone, young, old, male, female, everywhere should take example from this young lady’s story.
I congratulate you on publishing this outstanding article, unfortunately I really do not know how you can ever top it?
Ron Coble
Wow! What an inspiring story. It’s amazing what persistance this young woman has shown to move past all those obstacles and stay centered in faith that she would succeed. And I’m absolutely sure that she has much more success ahead of her.
Wow!!! Ladan’s story is quite amazing and at the same time quite humbling. The next time I think about complaining about things not going so well online, I’ll refer back to her story.
Nathan
Thanks for sharing this story, Eric. It encourages me to keep trying. I think I may have quit a couple times just short of the goal, but I get up and keep trying. Storys like Ladan’s help us all to keep trying. On the cover of the DVD “Facing the Giants” there is a line that I have adopted: “Never give up…Never Back Down…Never lose faith…” It lools like Laden has learned this very well.
Wow…what an inspirational story. I’d love to hear how she overcame all of those obstacles.
Thanks for sharing!
Wow this is truly an amazing story, very inspiring. I will check out her websites.
I enjoy your newsletters, and tips thanks so much.
Thank you so much for this story. I was just thinking yesterday 3/9/07 where you had gone
WOW, Ladan…I thought I had obstacles! I admire your determination and you have given all of us a benchmark that will be very difficult to match, but certainly achievable. I am very new to Internet Marketing and have so much to learn…I only hope that I can be one tenth as successful as you in your first year. Much more success to you and lots of respect…
Richard Meserve
Dearly Beloved Eric:
This is coming right on time for me. You know that sometimes you get to a point where you are wondering if your ladder is leaning on the wrong wall and then you get such a reconfirmation and affirmation from someone like you with such a story like that of Ladan and you are like, this is it and nothing more to make you never ever give up.
What more is there to the limitation and challenges that one who is facing the internet business route can experience that will surpass the ones you mentioned in relation to Ladan? If there is any other, it is going to be minute.
Thank you for always being an encourager. Please, keep it up!
You are pumping life into some dying fires…
Looking forward to your next tip!
Remain blessed and a blessing.
Regards,
Olakunle Solomon Fatoye.
It’s truly inspirational. No one can have any kind of excuses. She’s simply amazing, excellent and role model for every one. Especially for womans who want to succeed in online marketing. We will wish her to grow more and more.
Over the years, I have joined (and unnsubscribed from) more Internet Marketing mailing lists than I can count. But, your list is one of the few I still read — and I’m certainly glad of that today: Laden’s story is amazing, her success is inspiring and the fact that you brought her to our attention is a real gift. Thank you, Eric!
Wow. But I looked at the websites….. one with a Canadian address, one with an American address, they accept paypal and credit cards…. So was the answer simply to find a partner or accommodation person in another country?
Lynda- she was able to get a Canadian mailing address. She uses a third party payment service called Plimus. They are basically a middle man for vendors such as Ladan who are unable to accept credit cards or Paypal. Plimus accepts all the payments, takes a fee, and pays Ladan her profits.
Very impressive and have all respect for Ladan Lashkari and her achievements.
I am sure she could teach many of us how she is generating that kind of income.
As for myself, have been on this game (IM) full time for 8 months and have little to show for besides knowing and understanding things that have not yet materialized (magnetized) to use an IM term.
I am fortunate enough to be able to afford to spend that kind of time learning as my staff takes care of my other business that puts bread on the table. Being in Dubai, and seeing how may opportunities are and how I could say yes to a $6,000 or more job offers that come in every now an then it is not easy to refuse since my IM business is producing close to nothing.
But reading (entirely) Ladan Lashkari’s story it does inspire me. As a Canadian businessman, doing business in Japan, China and now UAE, I believe my understanding of cultures and business is on balance but never in a million year I could understand how she managed to do it.
I guess if there is a will there is a way would explain it.
Way to go Ladan Lashkari, if you ever come to Dubai would be more then happy to meet and pick your brains
P.S. Steven Lucas, Iranians are not Arabs but I understand what you meant and I know you meant well.
Regards,
Nicholas Mancini
This is one truly inspirational and amazing story. As what i can see, Ladan has determination and alignments to precede her goals, even with all the obstacles and difficulties. I too was on her shoes sometime ago. My culture and her’s are almost similar. With all the difficulties of that and this, i almost give up. Until i read and found people are more unfortunate than me are able to pursue their dream. If they can…… if Ladan can, why can’t i. Thanks for sharing Eric.
Romico
Thank You, Eric!
One of the things I appreciate about your e-zine is that often times when I need a boost, you come through. And how I have needed a boost lately. If I may, I would like to share a little comparison, not to take anything away from what you have written but perhaps add to it.
I will turn 64 in a couple of months. Just before my 54th birthday, I suffered my third heart attack, severe enough that I underwent by-pass surgery, receiving 5 by-passes. Because I also suffer from asthma, from chemical exposure, less than a year after the surgery I discovered I had developed osteoporosis caused by one of my ashtma meds. I was working in a fairly lucative field but because of the osteoporosis, I had to change jobs which cut my salary by more than half. Added to that, I found out that insurance that was suppose to cover 100% of my medical expenses, only covered the hospital so I was left with over 50K to pay myself. What was left of my 401K, after a market downturn and penalties, went to pay a small part of this. A couple of years after the osteoporosis was discovered, I became unable to work and had to take disability retirement. I also had to sell our house and move to a warmer area because of my health. Today, I have maybe one day out of two weeks that I am able to do meaningful work.
I started studying Internet Marketing about 4 years ago and of course the first thing I ran into was information overload, so many conflicting “secrets” and plain old run of the mill BS. I have yet to collect my first dollar from on-line marketing but a couple of days ago I discovered that my efforts at list building are starting to pay off. It still can’t really be called a list, just a couple of subscribers but it is progress and it shows me that it can be done.
To Ladan I would say hang in there. I sincerely hope that she is able to relocate to a friendlier area. I know enough of Islam to know that those who honestly believe are far different from those who use it as an excuse for their violent behavior. Your story has added hope for me. As you have said, if you can overcome your hurdles, there is hope that I too can overcome my own.
Again, thank you Eric and Ladan for the boost.
Ken
Great Thanks Eric you’ve exposed me to Ladan, I got deep inspire. “The Internet Marketing Non-Guru” found young Ladan, as too here in Indonesia young Anne Ahira stated by Tung Desem Waringin in Global Internet Summit in Jakarta followed by Asia Academy Internet Booth Camp. Both you and Tung consistently inspired all as too Stephen Pierce sadi: Never Give Up, Never Give Up. All difficulty nothing but opportunities and the solutions is a must, our Sucess.
A well-written and inspiring article. I think it will make me get off my backside and stop procrastinating. I want to take a leaf from her book and get things moving.
Thanks to people like Joel Comm and Mike Filsaime, my online earnings have gone from pocket money to a nice income. I always believed that you needed a lucky break, but now I realise that you just need to follow somebody else’s success story and then put your own ‘twist’ on it. Although many just want to earn money for doing nothing, Ladan’s story show’s that this just isn’t true. Truly inspirational!
Eric, She’s amazing, awesome, interesting, extraordinary and a great role model for those who want to succeed in internet marking. Now, no one can have any excuses “Not to be an Internet Marketer”. Let’s wish her to grow more and more.
Very inspiring indeed!
Because of the internet we realize that we are living in a Global Village. There is almost no limit where we can’t communicate on this planet.
Now, if people could do the same thing in the way they think and remove the road blocks of their own mind and realize that boundaries on this planet are man made and don’t really exist.
Ladan you are a pionneer in your own field. People don’t like changes. History has shown great women ,which in their own time were regarded as marginal, but now we admire them.
Go for it and whatever you do or don’t do, there will always be complaining people. Believe in yourself. Walt Disney was regarded as a person with no imagination and Einstein as a deficient slow mind young boy. Pfftt!
Go for it Ladan and don’t look back!
Paul
I am ashamed myself, I have been living all these years in a greatest country and infinite opportunies but I kept my mind in the view of closed barriers of the world. Ladan is amazing, she has a guts to smash all the obstacles and lead others to discover the opportunies.
Thanks Eric for bringing this kind of examples for our lives. I am with you from now on, this is the first time I went through your Email which inspired me as I read your story about Ladan.
Thank you again,
Kabir
DEAR ERIC.
GREAT DAY.
I AM AFRAID THAT IT IS LOVE STORY (LOL).
THIS GIRL IS EXAMPLE FOR THE WORK HARD AND CHALLENGE THE DIFFICULTS AT THE MARKETING PROGRAMES.
I HOPE SO THAT I CAN DO THAT MORE THAN 2 YEARS I DO NOTHING COST MY SELF MUCH MONEY WITHOUT EARN PENNY.
THANKS MY FRIEND.
Perseverence! I like that! She must be very clever. I wonder if she is able to get and spend any of the money she is making. The world is connecting. She is one example. We have all the tools we need and 10 million competitors. I’m ready to take my marketing efforts into other languages than English. English speakers have more money right now to spend and we are the target of everyone’s marketing but if you look carefully at (for example) Joel comm’s blogsite, you’ll notice that the visitor has the option of translating the pages and ads into the language of their choice. Does anyone know where I can get that program and capability on my websites and blogs?
Now, back to work.
The human spirit is the human spirit. Once we make up our minds that we are going to do something, there’s no stopping us. Therein lies the reason that most of us are not experiencing the success we would like to.
We just haven’t made up our minds yet. We may say we have, but, do we really believe ourselves?
Thanks for sharing Eric.
What an inspiration! I have had some similar experiences because I have challenges but not like Ladan. Like Ladan, I WILL NOT QUIT! Some of my inspiration: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagnination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves-who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented and fabulous. But honestly, who are you not to be so?” Marianne Williamson
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” - Napoleon Hill – (Famous Author of “Think and Grow Richâ€).
“In matters of science, the authority of thousands is not worth the humble reasoning of one single person.”
- Galileo Galilei
eric wow that is a very amazing story.i do want to have my own internet business.but right now i cant get a checking account.or a credit card because of my credit.but iam very interrested in your writing program.and the offer you sent me.i want to purcase i am trying to find a way.tammy thanks so much for sending me ladans story.please respond soon. thanks so very much.
Thank You Eric! What a wonderful and inspiring story. We need more of these real life stories published across the mainstream media.
I applaud this young woman’s efforts and her drive. May she be an inspiration to us all who strive to be successful in all of our pursuits in life. Ladan’s example has come at a time when prejudices and hate seem to permeate the world causing many of us to put up our own walls or barriers and formulating opinions about people who are not “neighborly”. When we stop to take stock of what’s really going on around in the world we find that crossing geo-political and cultural barriers reveals people who are non-threatening that live in “restricted” societies and that these people have the same dreams and desires that we do and nothing, not even friends, family or even governments can prevent pursuing fulfillment of these dreams.
I went and checked out her blog and this young woman has much knowledge and information about marketing on the internet that she freely shares.
Bravo Ladan! Bravo Eric!
I have printed Ladan Lashkari’s name and posted it above my computer to remind myself that overcoming obstacles strengthens my own resolve and the road to success is lined with precious gems like this story. Success to us all!
Fred
Thank you Eric for publishing this story and thank you everyone for your kind words.
I’m very happy to hear my life story has inspired you to believe you can really succeed in this business.
I wish I could reply to each of the comments one by one, but it would just take a lot of time and space here.
I wish you all the best in your Internet marketing adventure and hope that you reach all your goals in your life!
All the best,
Ladan
The WOW Factor…
Occasionally I’ll run across a post that just makes me say WOW.
Not much else I can say about this.
Read it for yourself.
G-Man
…
God bless you, Ladan! You are an inspiration to all of us who are trying to find success with ecommerce.
I will be viewing your website next so that I can learn from you.
I have been running e-stores for two years now, and I still have not met with much success. Ebay was somewhat encouraging to me, but the costs were mostly prohibitive.
I invite you to visit Collectible Suite Deals, and I welcome your comments and suggestions.
By the way, I almost married an Iranian in the early 1980’s, and I understand more than most Americans what obstacles you have been encountering.
Best of luck,
Susan Polich
Thank you Eric for bringing us this incredible story. Thank you Ladan for being an inspiration by showing how important it is to have determination and belief in ourselves to accomplish our goals. That is the only obstacle a lot of people have to overcome.
All the best to you,
Ted
You really nailed it with this one Eric, what a wonderful, inspiring story! It truly goes to show that we can do anything we put our minds to and have our heart in.
All the best,
John Michael
Wow! This is one gutsy lady! Thanks very much for this very inspirational article Eric. We really have nothing to complain about after reading this. I’m in awe.
Great story! All my excuses just flew out the window. Information overload has had me running in circles throwing money at all the little ’schemes’ that come along. I finally quit opening most of them, except Eric’s Tips, of course. Thanks for the much needed motiviation!
Mark B.
Thanks Eric and Ladan. As someone earlier said - just when I need some inspiration - you come through. Good timing, I just launched a new website a week ago and have made $1.55 so far. I’m off and running … But seriously, there is so much to learn in this industry and so much to filter through to get to the nuts and bolts of what really works and what is ethical at the same time. I’m taking a serious look at Ladan’s website and blog - seem informative.
Congratulations Ladan. You are an inspiration because of your incredible determination, persistence and perseverance, not to mention a large dose of talent.
Here in the “West” we have it easy by comparison to conditions in Iran, and this leads us to become lazy, and come up will all sorts of excuses as to why we can’t succeed, to the point that it often takes a major crisis in our lives to make us get up an get on with it. You have exposed this folly by succeeding against unbelievably difficult conditions. There is no doubt at all that your online future is going to be a financial dream, but I suspect even greater things are destined for you. I will be watching and waiting for that to happen.
Thanks Eric for introducing us to Ladan. In the years to come we will have reason to say,”I first heard about her from Eric’s Tips!”
Kindest thought to all,
Veronica
What wonderful testamony to the indomitable human spirit, truly inspirational. Thank you both for being who you are.
As ever,
Palmer
Truly amazing, Eric!
My best wishes to Ladan. And keep up your excellent tips.
Sounds challenging indeed, but no more challenging than the millions of Americans who have endured extreme hardships and challenges, including the ultimate challenge to make this country great and what it is today. If you want examples of heroic efforts to achieve success, you need go no further than your own American history book! I’m really sick and tired of people using Americans as examples of quitters and losers who will give up when the going gets tough…Im sorry Eric, but you missed the mark this time. Her efforts are noble indeed, but nothing like the heroic accomplishments being achieved every day right here in our own country. BTW, there are legitimate reasons why Iran is under embargo which you failed to include in your tear-jerking rhetorical….Iran has declared itself the enemy of the west… They’re tyrannical dictator is at this moment making threats to destroy the west with nuclear weapons. Before you go jumping on the “Blame America First” bandwagon, I suggest you stop blaming America and lay the blame of her challenges at the doorstep of the person who deserves the blame…President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Sorry for getting political on your blog Eric, but you went there, and it really ticks me off….
Like Eric said “Like most Americans I’m ignorant in many ways!” You are not objective at all, i don’t want to go to politics but just to give you different point of view. Iran never threated USA to destroy it with Nuclar weapons, it’s just USA propaganda. USA wants to have control on every nation, how is that , that USA can have Nuclear Bombs and Some other country can’t? Only reason why Iran wants to make Nuclear bomb is to defend them selfs from USA potentional Attack. when you see what happened with neighbour Iraq. I am comming from one country that was unjustfully bombed by USA, and i now what i am talking about. I don’t hate Americans, but when i see USA with their powerful army and Nuclear weapons attacking all those week countries including mine, i can’t think better reason than making Nuclear bomb in order to deffend myself from it’s aggresion.North Korea Never attacked USA or any country, but USA call it axis of evil, little contradicting speach from one country that goes around the world and attack other nations.
What shallow-minded reasoning! Brian, you’re a shame to the thousands of Americans who, against all odds, achieve their dreams. You’re a shame to the millions of people worldwide, who in spite of challenges and constraints, succeed. All these people succeed because they are not shallow minded like you.
Brian, are you a success? I doubt it. But even if you are, you probably had everything laid on a golden platter. ‘Nuf said!
Brian- I’m *almost* glad someone finally disagreed with the article… it wouldn’t have felt like my blog if there were no controversy, lol ;). In response, I don’t think I missed the mark; I think you missed the point of the article. It’s not about politics, and I did my best to even keep any political undertones to a minimum. Apparently I succeeded in doing so. Had I not laid my political standpoint aside, you would have been able to discern that I am a patriotic Republican who fully supports our president in the war on terror, and has deep concern about the regime in Iran. In fact I did try to make it clear that Ladan is a victim of her own nation, as well as of discrimination from other nations. Had I gotten into “why” she’s a victim, it would have turned not only political, but also certainly religious. I could have delved into those topics, but honestly it would have necessitated that I turn the article into a full book. As Ladan said, she is not defined by her nation’s president. I could give you more information that might convince you that she’s OK, but it’s a sensitive issue and there are certain matters that are probably best not discussed publicly on the internet. She’s certainly not anti-American in any way… hey her favorite quote is from Ross Perot
There are millions of stories of heroic accomplishments by millions of people throughout the world in economically-challenged nations, suppressed people groups, as well as in developed countries such as our own. Her story is just one of the million, but it’s a good one. If you have an equally inspiring internet-marketing related story from an American I’d love to hear it.
The Ladan story is inspirational; we don’t have any excuse for failure.
Eric thanks for writing about her, you are a good American, and I am totally agreed with your position.
In any circumstances, the courage, the perseverance, the hard work, the moral values must guide us to our success!
Again, Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Michaela
Thank You Eric,
And thank you Ladan Lashkari for being you and sharing with all of us, that have an Easy button, but still spend much of our time complaining.
I pray that these communications and many others can superceed the tensions between our governments. It does emphasize the fact that the tensions are bueracratic and not between the peoples!
May God bless us all!
Hi Eric,
thanks a lot for posting a real motivational IM success case. From these type of posts, it really shows that besides being an IM guy, you are a wonderful human caring for your subscribers.
I keep learning a lot from your posts.
Sincere thanks
Rajesh
interesting…she is making more than many of us in the states, namely me!
Thanks Eric for sharing Ladan’s story, how she’s dealing with the barriers in her life and has risen to become a successful internet entreprenuer. I’m a new subscriber and I’m glad that I’ve found your newsletter… you’re a breath of fresh air and Ladan’s story is a conformation to keep pluggin away.
Very inspiring story Eric. Wishing Ladan the best. Her story has certainly touched me. I hope this story will also inspire others in her country and signal a new day for so many women out there.
Best,
Ana
Thank you for that inspirational article -Her inspiration and determination and the way you made the presentation is fantastic.
MHEN
Hi Eric,
What a pil booster to all of us even if you are not in this IM world. This real life story is for what ever we do in our life.
As usual to me you are one of my best honest IM marketer beside some great IM marketer around i have known since i get into this very interestim IM world.
I do agreed with you, this a pil bootser or i call it as a real great motivational true story that you have published. I think Ladan has shown all of us as an example how she could do it besides all the hassles and blockers she has to face and overcome. If she can do it why not all of us if you are willing to take the chanllenge in life. This a amazing real life story that can make us proud of her and do push us further. She is smart in making things happen.
Thanks for sharing the case to all of us. Keep it up even there are some people do have a different opinion about your articles, this is life. We can’t please everybody.
Thanks.
cheers,
flwong
At a university in the mid-70’s, one of my best friends was a Ph.D. student from Iran. Over the next 10 years he brought his entire family to live in the U.S. I’ve also travelled in that part of the world (not Iran) and it saddens me to see such a wonderful young woman judged by perceptions that have nothing to do with her. I hope Ladan does have the chance to work online “wide open” - she’ll be great.
In fact, she already is.
kay
Despite all the barriers of distances and politics and religions, with one click the Internet brings us together…. and I think that is a marvelous thing!
I was so thrilled with Ladan’s story! She inspires me to persist in my IM efforts, and I am grateful for that.
I sincerely wish the best for her, her family, and her country.
Wow! Thanks for sharing that inspiring story, Eric.
In more than one way (sans the political issues) it reminds me of how things were in 1995 when I started working online. One message stands out clearly - ‘Quitting simply is NOT an option’.
Ladan, you ROCK! Good luck and all success.
Dr.Mani
You should Digg this story and let all those quitter to read this!!! Damn good story!!
I love your work, Eric - as much for helping to humanise our perception of the people of Tehran as anything else. Great stuff!
Ladan’s story is truly an inspiration. I wonder how she did it without ever thinking of giving up? This woman is indeed made up of such tough stuff.
I, too, am facing some of the challenges that she faced and only recently found the will to strive. Been in this business, well to be more accurate, tried to be in the business for more than 7 years and just had $10 to show for it. This business plunged me deeper in debt that maxed out my credit cards. So now I’m where Ladan was when she started — no credit card, can spend just $30, can’t open a PayPal account, can’t travel outside my country, etc.
Her story truly inspired me to hang on to my dream of earning online. As they say here in my country (translated in English, of course): “If you really want to have something, there are a lot of ways on how to achieve it; if you really don’t want it, you will always find excuses not to do anything.”
Kudos to you, Eric for writing Ladan’s story!
Hi Eric,
Many people in many countries face daily obstacles more because of their situation, rather than the country they live in. Laden has learnt to overcome obstacles and that should be the lesson to everyone else, there are always ways to overcome any obstacle, perhaps the hardest task is finding the way around, over or through those obstacles.
Tim
Sounds made up. I’m calling BS on this one.
Eric,
Your newsletter is one of the few that I actually read, word for word.
While I hope you don’t put your business on “pause” too terribly often as you await inspiration (I wouldn’t read your blog if it didn’t inspire me!), the wait was worth it this time.
Best regards,
Tom
I know Ladan for quite some time now.
We’ve spoken to each other on Skype.
Perfect English, great ideas, very innovative and a clear view of what she wants.
Given the circumstances, that’s an amazing accomplishment!
However ….
‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’.
Ladan will get there.
Her attitude will be responsible for that.
She’s simply amazing.
Honestly, I really love this young woman.
Case Stevens
Dear Mr Eric,
YOU are doing something wonderful to this genaration. Iam challenged by this girl’s story becouse most of her limitations are similar to mine ,except for religious intorrorance.
Keep on with your good work for humanity.Show me way to get involve in coming out of poverty.
cheers,
David
Thanks so much for this- as I am working hard myself to make it online and you helped me alot.
I hope this page will not get her in trouble with her government.
Blessings on you and your family Ladan !
Steve
Thank you Eric for such an amazing and inspiring story. There are many people in many “third world” countries who are facing many obstacles in pursuing their dream of internet marketing. Ladan’s story would surely inspire all of them to not give up and take step forward no matter how difficult it would be.
Thanks again, Eric.
God Bless You, Ladan.
Very inspiratonal. I have web in my language and want to do business with english speaking area but I know that my written english is not good so i was always reluctant to start with it.But now I see a very brave young lady and must say that give me boost to start trying harder beacouse it can be done.Thank You Eric and Ladan.
I have nothing but respect for Ladan, I know of the hardships people face in Iran as my friend and her mother are from Iran (funny that my friends mother is called Ladan also). I believe this to be a true story of endeavour and strength over adversity.
While I appreciate what Brian is saying, you do have to look at this from the angle that Ladan has not asked for the embargo put on her nation, and like most Iranians has not got any relationship with the politics suppressing them. What sets Ladan apart from the majority is that we know a HUGE 95% of people fail in building an online business….and thats with the Paypal accounts, credit cards, English as their first language etc.
Eric, you have truly hit the mark in my eyes, and Ladan if you read this I truly wish you the best in everything you do, you are a real inspiration to all who wish to start online. It may not seem like much but you have gained my full respect, and I hope the respect of others that read this great story.
Truly one of the most inspirational stories I’ve read! What determination! Thanks, Eric, for sharing Ladan’s story and encouraging us to not only stay the course, but to realize how many blessings and advantages we do have.
Eric & Laden,
Very inspiring.
It brings to mind, that maybe the most difficult challenges ARE NOT those which are imposed by ones circumstances, but rather those imposed by/in ones own mind.
Regards
Well done Ladan!
Her blog looks great as well as some of her salesletters. This is sheer motivation!
I was thinking about giving up, before I read this article
Very inspiring indeed!
Way to go Ladan, and thanks for sharing this great story Eric
Eric
That was a good post indeed.
And Ladan reserves it 100%.
And more…
An example for everybody.
I am wondering… how many of the readers of this
post will be motivated THAT much to overcome
their own barriers and create their own star in
the Internet Marketing’s Sky…
What else do people need… ?
Very inspirational story.
Regardless of whether an American doesn’t like her because she’s from Iran, or some Iranians don’t like people from America, the real message of this post is that anyone can get up off their behind and do something to change their circumstances. The trick, of course, is to keep doing things until it starts working.
Every one of us can find enough excuses not to do things. The achievers in life just get on with it.
Wow! This is truly an inspiring story!
I just started my journey in the internet marketing world & this is just the kind of story that I need to boost my spirit.
I’ll keep myself posted to Ladan’s journey for sure!
Truly an inspiring story for us. Once you believe in yourself nothing or no one can stop you.
Thank you for sharing her story Eric. I think
everyone who feels like giving up should
read this article over and over again, I know
I will. This is motivation and inspiration x 1,000.
Dan here from Germany, sorry for my lousy Kraut-English …
After all these “blind sheep” following the “bellwether” comments, there must be ONE more disagreement than from this pseudo patriotic Brian K. Shoemake guy, to make Eric even more glad.
(I use to provoke to get attention …)
Erics Allegation: “If this girl can succeed - so can you!”
Sorry Eric, but this allegation is obviously meant encouraging, but in fact very misleading.
Comment Quote (John Michael): “It truly goes to show that we can do anything we put our minds to and have our heart in.”
IS THAT TRUE?
When you are really good at something, no matter what, it appears very easy, natural and self evident FOR YOU. But that does NOT mean, that everybody could do the same, only because it’s (easy learnable) achievable for YOU. That is not my opinion, but fact. Sitting inside looking out is very different to sitting outside looking in on the same thing.
I’m not talking about mindset, attitude, heart, effort, diligence, persistence and all these virtues, that are prerequisites for any success. I talk about ABILITY and TALENT.
Abilities and Talents can’t be learned, they are given, like an arm or a leg. You can develop and facilitate Abilities and Talents like you can train an arm or a leg, making it stronger, skillful and better performing, but you only can work with, what is potentially there.
Abilities and Talents are very randomly allocated in our brains.
Some people are potentially good Sportsmen, some are good Musicians, Internet Marketers or whatever, or not good in anything at all.
Now everybody can learn anything to a certain degree, from poor to perfect, depending on natural given Ablility and Talent. Nobody can act beyond the natural given borders. Examples:
Everybody can learn to play Golf, but earn a living on the PGA Tour?
Everybody can learn to play the Piano, but earn a living giving Concerts?
Everybody can learn to market (struggle) on the Internet, but earn a living as an IM?
As a Golf and Tennis Teaching Pro I know a lot about how people move, think and learn.
(BTW: I run my own Public Golf Resort here in Germany: http://www.pro-golf.de)
(After 3 hours of writing I decided to go back and break at this point for a short version and write an ebook in German and English about this topic, thanks Eric for this inspiration)
Erics Allegation: “If this girl can succeed - so can you!”
You know what, you can’t, because you don’t have her Personality, not her Abilities and not her Talent. Talents of this caliber never cared about any obstacles, as well as Eric or the very few other guys I use to listen to in this arena. They go their way, no matter if in Iran, Northpole, Timbktu, on Moon or Mars.
I don’t know about my Abilities and Talents in IM yet (newbie-uah), but I will find out. Certainly not by following 10 step patented systems to wealth, or kiss the ass of any blood sucking “GURUS”, making money not with their Abilities, but with your hopes and desires. People never buy what they need, but what they want, they say. Sell them, what they want and get rich, ok? This is as bad or worse than selling cocaine.
I’m waffling now, but one last thought:
Salesletter: Follow these 10 easy Steps and succeed … blahblah. Do it like me and get rich … blahblah.
Obviously many wannabe IM buy this crap, making the “GURUS” rich.
My Golf lesson: I’ll show you 10 steps of a perfect golfswing. If you do it like me, you can earn your living on the PGA Tour and defeat Tiger Woods. Funny.
Depending on the students Abilities and Talents I will have very different results, from poor to ???
Do you really think, that if you walk a mile in the shoes of Eric or Ladan or me, you will gain similar results?
Dan
Great sales letter Eric! Your affiliate commission on this one should be huge!
Inspiring story.
Thanx for sharing the wonderfully inspiring story Eric.
I love the way you write these stories in your blog…
Ladan, your story made me feel even stronger in my belief that
my countrymen/women in the Philippines can really make it with
enough hard/smart work and determination.
Would it be okay if I share your story to my people when I go visit and do a seminar there in June?
Joel Christopher R.
“The MasterListBuilder”
http://www.MasterListBuilder.com
I am real discouraged since I just took down my site that has been up for two years, got hits but no sales, but this girl is a real inspiration. I am going to give it another go.
Thanks for letting me sound off.
Wow I am impressed.
Thanks for sharing this story. We all think that we have it rough. I am so impressed when I hear stories like this. I grew up a very poor hill billy child, complete with hand me downs. But I live in the USA and have the freedoms that our men and women have and are fighting for. I love the fact that she never gave up when people told her to.
I will read this over and over when I feel sorry for me. I will also share it with others
Thanks again
Great story, Eric, and Ladan, we will see and hear more from you! Looking through all these comments to this point I see no mention of another famous and super-successful Iranian woman, Ellie Drake. Although she immigrated to the USA with her family when times were not as tense politically, she overcame many of the same barriers Ladan is passing through right now. Now Ellie spends all her time speaking and motivating others, knowing the same thing Ladan knows, that anyone can succeed and reach their goals with perseverance. Best wishes, Ladan, never give up!
Well said, Frank Dale.
With that attitude you will never achieve, and complain about all those that do succeed.
Even if her story is not true, it is what you can take away from the story that counts. Learn to think for your self rather than have people do the thinking for you.
And Ladan, “You go Girl”
Am impressed about your sales letter performance Eric too.
You make most copywriters look clumsy. 5 Stars from me.
Ladan that’s a mind-blowing life story!
like Dr.Mani.. it reminds me of how i got started online (at the age of 18).. and had to face almost the same challenges (living in saudi arabia - a more strict country than iran)
but don’t want to steal your spotlight
you worked damn hard and deserve a LOT more and bigger success..
i was about to go to sleep.. but you inspired me so much - am getting back to go that extra mile
God bless ya and just keep rockin’!
Shariq.
Eric,
What a bunch of blubbering sheeple! Get a grip people…Do you have to wait for someone to hold your hand before you stop crying and do something yourself??? Geeez. Yes from what Eric is telling us, (and I have no reason to doubt his facts,) she is a very talented and intelligent person who has set her mind to something, and by God has accomplished what she set out to accomplish! She no doubt would have been great at whatever she set her mind to…But good grief you bunch of blubbering cry babies act like you’re in prison somewhere in a salt mine with no way of escaping to ever see the light of day without someone handing you tissues to wipe your snotty noses on! This is not the United States I know and love…If you need someone to create some bleeding heart story before you can wake your silly a**es up and do something, I pity you…! You may as well turn the boob tube to Dateline NBC and rip the knob off! There you can spend the rest of your lives lanquishing in self pity, doubt and despair….What a bunch of downers. Now I see how these IM guys make so much money! Baah! Baaaah!
As far as your article Eric, there’s not much left to say, other than I never meant to disparage the young lady in any way nor to discount the challenges she endured and overcame to get to where she is today….My comments were in no way criticizing you for your political views either. I am also a solid Republican (Reagan Republican that is..) and a proud capitalist. Im not yet successful in this IM business, but I assure you that I eventually will be…And it will be of my own accord, my own sheer determination, inner fortitude, and strength from God Allmighty. All my best to you my friend, and keep the messages coming! You’re a great American Capitalist, and I applaud that! =:]
Hi Eric,
Thank you for the inspiring story. I would very much like to express my admiration to such a couragous girl. I completely understand her story because I come from a similar backgroung though a different close country to hers. I grew up in a family ruled by males and for me to go to university in the first place was a challenge, a great one. My father dared my hometown people to send me to a city which was more than 2000 km away to ener university. I went and studied English to graduate and work as a teacher. Just the next month after graduation, I got married . I was lucky enough to get a husband who motivated me to move on.
I am writing now from my small apartment in Scotland that I have occupied lately, why?,because now I am doing my MSc degree in Management and Leadership in Education that I have to finish within one year only.I received a semi schoolarship that came when I was already seven months pregnant but couldn’t say no to such a chance. I moved to UK alone last September with my three kids and gave birth to the fourth ,the youngest which is now four months old , here in Scotland . My country conditions are very much the same as Iran (In the Gulf Area) and for me to come all by myself and do this is a dream.
The best part is that I have come to know about the internet business only within the last three months and now I have started my first blog a few days ago and working my way through. I think now after knowing about this girl, all my suspecions about my abilities are gone and there is no going back for me as well.
Thanks a lot Eric.
What a wonderful inspiration for all of us! I wish Ladan all the best and you for the detective work so as you could share her story. I too will support her in my own way and pass Ladan’s story on.
Cheers and God Bless!
Frank Dale Says:
March 11th, 2007 at 3:12 am
Sounds made up. I’m calling BS on this one.
In response to comment as quoted above, I just want to say,
Who cares if it’s BS or not?
As one of her customers, I’d just like to say…she is one of the most helpful, kind persons out there. She knows her craft VERY well, and amazed me with some of the work she creates and sells. She is very VERY knowledgeable, and that kind of stick-to-it-ness gets you where you want to go no matter WHERE you are in this world. At the time when we did business I had NO idea she was 16 years old, just that she is good at what she does and professional in her work. And her customer service goes above and beyond.
To hear that she has had to contend with the above kind of obstacles just amazes me even more.
Joel,
>> Would it be okay if I share your story to my people when I go visit and do a seminar there in June?
Sure, I’ll be happy if this story can help some people in Philippines see how it’s very possible for them to become successful too, because I truly believe everyone in any country can become successful in Internet marketing.
They just need to learn how, and the meantime, don’t give up.
Ladan
>> In reply to Dan Krueger’s comments that said “talent” is the key to success:
Dan,
To add more controversy to Eric’s blog, here’s what I believe…
There is NO such a thing as “talent” or “intelligence”.
Quite controversial, isn’t it? OK, let me explain why I think it’s true…
You see, a few years ago, one day I got an interest in learning to play piano. But I knew I couldn’t afford the expensive piano classes to learn it, so I decided to learn in myself.
Early in the morning the next day, I went to Google and searched for free piano lessons, articles, sheet music, and so on. I found several good websites and started reading the material. Since I didn’t know even the smallest thing about reading sheet music, I had to learn all it all from scratch what those “cute” symbols meant.
To make a long story short, I learned how to play some basic piano notes by the end of the day. So I could slowly play some music from Yanni (the great musician) with my small synthesizer that night.
So do you think I was talented in music?
No, definitely not. I hadn’t played piano in my whole life.
I was just an ordinary person - just like you and people who commented here - who just believed in myself and knew I could do it. And I really believe you and everyone else can do it too - only if you believe you can.
That’s why I say there is NO such a thing as “talent” or “intelligence”.
It’s YOU who choose how “talented” or “intelligent” you want to be.
It’s just a matter of choice. If you think you are talented in marketing, you will be. If you think you are talented in singing, you will be. The same goes for playing piano, dancing, acting, playing golf, and so on.
I understand and respect your thoughts about talent and intelligence and their effect on a person’s success. On the other hand, do you really think “talent” is what makes a person successful?
If so, you are really limiting your success by putting this “not-talented-enough” label on you.
When we look at highly successful people throughout the history, how many of them have reached there because they were just “talented”? Really, how many?
Wasn’t their success all because of their determination and their desire to reach their goals?
Actually when I think about people around me, I see many of them are very talented in specific things, but they are rarely successful because they don’t try enough and give up way soon.
Some people may say Ladan has been successful because she was intelligent. I could go on and say, “Yes, I am the most intelligent person in the world and no one could reach my level of success.”
But I DON’T.
I do belive I am intelligent and talented, but so is every single one of you who are reading this article, and also are those billions of other people around the world.
To the day that everyone really sees what a gigantic power people have inside - just if they believe in themselves,
Ladan
Hi,
What a great article! What a great story! It annoys me so much when we make opinions on countries and their people based on what OUR media and governments wants us to think (to enable their own agendas). At the end of the day, all people are just people, regardless of creed, color, race or religion. We all have the same trials and tribulations in our day to day lives. Lennon was right when he asked us to imagine. Good on ya Ladan!
All the very best, Allen
Having spent over 50 successful years in busines, her story proves a point I have tried to make for years …
Being an entrepreneur isn’t about making money. Its about overcoming obstacles to achieve personal freedom.
Real entrepreneurs do not focus on making money. They focus on achieving personal freedom. Making money is only one way to achieve that freedom.
Welcome to my world Ladan Lashkari.
Jim
WOW, what more can I say to that….
I am deeply insipired and I believe this was a wake up call for me especially. I admire Ladan and her tenacity to resist failure. Thanx Eric for this letter and more of best wishes to Ladan
It may be inspirational but it is pure fabrication and a fraud plain and simple. That is the case with 99.99% of the grand tailes of success via the Internet. Fluff and lies meant to separate people from their money.
Appeal to their emotions and tell them they can succed if they just devote sufficent time. The part that is left off is 99.999% of the people who spend any money on any of these schemes simply part with their money.
Internet marketers are like politicians if you want to know if the are lying simple look at what they have said or written
Ralph and other skeptics— it’s really ignorant of you to write this off as fraudulent. A little skepticism is always healthy, but I’m leaving your comments as an example to show how some people’s skepticism (such as yours) is actually unhealthy to the point that it will keep you away from success. Your skepticism is really rooted in fear. If you’re afraid to trust the experts who are truly successful, and if you’re afraid to tackle new opportunities head-on, then you won’t succeed in this business.
What a wonderful article and a great tribute to your dedication, skill and enthusiasim. I understand the reaction as my name is Joy in spanish alegria. It is remarkable the number of people to confuse that with algeria and think we are in that country and refuse to communicate. Yes, you have done well and I wonder how far you can go and Australia would be a wonderful place for you. I still call Australia home, from a true blue Aussie.
Hmm……
No one should have no excuse for failing in life.
This is a story of overcoming all odds.
Ladan, more power to your elbow
Thanks Eric for this pi