Vaulting Beyond Heavy Political Walls

An extraordinary entrepreneur’s adventure

Some folks enjoy keeping up with major players and latest happenings in politics or finance or sports, or the arts and show biz in all its varieties. Though I too follow some of these - for several years I’ve also been fascinated with the innovations and pioneering men and women in the Internet Marketing field.

One day, an unusual story came to my attention. In one of the well-known marketers’ blogs I read about a remarkable young woman - only age 20 or so - who lives in Iran and yet has managed to start her own internet marketing enterprise and has already achieved a measure of success. And all this in spite of being a woman in an Islamic country, having to learn and work fundamentally on her own, plus being hampered by restrictive government regulations. But now her story was out and other IM writers were raising quite a viral buzz about this young entrepreneur over the internet.

I’m fascinated – and determined to find out more!

I quickly subscribed to Ladan’s newsletter, eager to see her information products and also to learn of her latest activities. My curiosity was piqued as I wondered what her daily life in that repressive environment might be like. I especially wondered how she had managed to succeed this far - in spite of the strictures on individual and business activities imposed by the current Iranian regime.

In a flash I decided an interview with Ladan would be a great piece for readers of The National Networker. I also realized that obtaining such an interview to begin with would be (in my humble opinion) a great coup for myself as a writer and TNNW Women’s Networking Editor.

It turned out to be really simple: I wrote Ladan and asked if I could interview her via e-mail. As I see (from her writings) that she’s a great a believer in the power of networking, I knew the magic word “networking” would get her attention!

Ladan responded quickly and graciously. She answered my questions openly – and I am happy to share them with you, our TNNW readers. So – here we are!

As you read her words, you will remember that English is not Ladan’s mother tongue – yet she communicates clearly and with great confidence. I have deliberately not changed her “voice” nor edited out the charm of the way she uses our language.

So – we get started!

As in my previous TNNW interviews, I begin with my leading question: “Ladan, how would you briefly describe what you do?”

“I help people use Strategic Marketing to use smarter techniques and win even more than people who work 10 times harder in their online business.

There are so many resources online,” she adds, “that repeat the same old advice about marketing and online business, but I always share more creative and powerful tips and tricks that will bring you real results.”

I continue: “What would you say is the primary goal or mission of your business?”

“It is to help Internet marketers learn how to think smarter and work less hard in their business while making more profits.”

Ladan creates and offers products and services aimed at “netpreneurs”

Ladan enjoys creating information products to teach people how to create their own information products. Visiting her site, http://www.OneDayeBook.com will give you free access to her new "Fast eBook Profits" 3-day course, plus her “OneDayeBook” for purchase. It’s designed to help you create your own eBook faster and start profiting from it.

Ladan has created another interesting site and eBook to help you find new ideas for information products of your own: see http://www.FindProductIdeas.com.

I’m wondering how and where you learned English so well – was it in school?

“I learned English mostly myself. For reading and understanding skills, I read lots and lots of English books and articles. For understanding spoken English, I watched many American movies and interviews.

For speaking fluency (which I admit was the most challenging part), I used to talk to myself, because there was no one around me who could speak English very well, so that was the only way to practice it. “

Your strength and determination are amazing – I really admire you! Now -- How did you get started on your path as Internet Entrepreneur?

“I was born and grew up in Tehran, Iran”, Ladan tells me. “When I was about fourteen years old, I decided to make money through computer because I wanted to be financially independent and lead my own life.

So I started trying different income methods: from teaching Windows, to graphic design with Photoshop, to C++ programming, and so on.

I spent a couple of years trying these sources of income – while going to school at the same time. It was fun to feel I was really doing something for my life, instead of just “going to school”.

But none of these really brought the results I was looking for - until I came across the idea of searching for ‘making money online’ in Google. I did it and found the late Corey Rudl’s website and newsletter… And that was the beginning of my exciting journey into Internet Marketing!”

What are some unique challenges you had in starting your internet business: problems we do not have to face here in the West?

“Yes, my being from Iran brought in all types of additional challenges – some of which people in other countries can’t even imagine! For example:

• Not being able to get a credit card
• Not being able to get a bank account with ability to receive profits in it
• Not having a PayPal account
• Being blocked out from popular sites like eBay, Google AdWords, and many other sites

Many things that are as easy as drinking a cup of coffee over there in the West, were like climbing the Mountain Everest for me in Iran.

But this also means facing more challenges than the average person, and it has made me a stronger person and has taught me many valuable lessons in life. And for that I feel it’s been a great adventure – well worth the ups and downs.”

How were you able to get past these challenges regarding bank accounts and PayPal and such?

“As for how I got past the problem of no bank account, credit cards and PayPal access, this is long story. The super-tiny version of it is that I found some connections abroad who acted either as a broker, or friendly help to do open a bank account and get a credit card.

As for PayPal, no matter how many ways I've tried, I still haven't found a lasting way to use it.”

Which of your projects are you currently most passionate about?

“I have many different projects going one, but seriously the one I love the most is networking with friends in the Internet Marketing business.

You see, as much as this business is really amazing and exciting, it is lonely if you don’t network with like-minded people in this business who you like and respect. Becoming more active in networking adds real life and fun to your business – not to mention the high profits it automatically brings you because you have a large network of people ready to help you and promote your products for you.”

How much of your work is focused on women?

“Actually my business is for both genders – men and women. Because I believe we are all very much alike. We are both intelligent and capable of achieving high places and big success in business by following the right methods.

But actually in the field of networking, I have seen women have better relationship skills, because we women are natural networkers.”

What are some ways in which you promote your enterprise?

“There are so many different ways – from my articles being published in 100,000+ websites and newsletters, to having affiliates promote our products, to doing joint ventures with the business contacts I have.

That’s the amazing thing about Internet marketing – there are so many ways to promote your products and skills that there is no way you can’t succeed.

But the key is to focusing on methods that bring you the most results with the least amount of time required.”

Whom does your network currently include? How far does your network extend?

“Well, it includes from smaller Internet marketers just starting out to big marketing super stars known around the IM world.

I can’t state a number for the ‘size’ of my network - as you know, a real powerful network is more about the quality than the quantity.

You may build a good relationship with ONE business superstar and that would be worth more to your career than 1,000 average relationships.”

Your achievement is impressive to me, so I’d like to know: How were you able to get inside such a powerful world-wide network of well-known Internet Marketing experts?

“It all came so fast and unexpected - starting from when the respected Internet Marketing expert, Eric Holmlund did a story on me on his blog.

Then the flood of emails came to me from hundreds of people from all walks of life. And among them, many well-known Internet Marketing experts who had read that story and emailed me.

Then our relationship developed bigger and deeper, so much that we are now personal, real-life friends with some of them, and even friends with their wife and family. It’s been amazing.”

Yes, I see in your blog you are friends with some “big names” in the IM world now! “Some of the names you may recognize are Mark Joyner, Mike Morgan, Case Stevens, James Brown, Tellman Knudson, John Childers, Willie Crawford, and others.”

What has been your best experience about building a network? Benefits, expected and unexpected?

“I absolutely think the best experience I have has been building relationships with many people in my network on a *personal* level – not just the cold business relationship many other networkers have.

I’m honored to say I have built great real friendships with some wonderful people who are also respected Internet Marketing experts. I have gotten to know their personal side.

You can observe how some people meet at seminars, exchange business cards, and spend some time talking about their business and latest products, and try to score joint venture deals with the other person to promote their products.

Well, let me tell you that I think this is NOT anything close to real networking. Real networking is about building REAL relationships – real friendships in which you really care and respect the other person. So you help him or her whenever you see you can.”

What challenges (if any) have you found in your networking experiences? Unexpected events? Benefits emerging from challenges in the long run?

“When I was first starting in networking, the fact that I was from Iran made it a big challenge to network with people. You know it yourself what kind of picture people in the West have about Iranians. So as soon as someone heard where I was from, they had a reaction – and 95% of the time it wasn’t positive.

But after Eric’s story on my success adventures got so popular around the IM world, many people got the chance to see the real me, and then they treated me with respect and liking.”

Goals and Plans for the Future

In more recent correspondence with Ladan, she indicates she recently managed to attend a major Internet Marketing conference in Singapore.

She is also planning to move to Malaysia and live there for a few months. Then she will be moving to Vancouver, Canada to stay.

Conclusion

Since the first time Ladan’s personal success story spread rapid-fire over the internet, she has obviously accumulated a significant number of well-wishers and friends. Though I have not yet asked Ladan to make sure it’s OK with her (ha ha), I can honestly say I want to be counted among that number! I also trust that this exciting, no-boundaries networking world we live in will make it possible for Ladan and me to meet in person one day!

Contact information:

For Ladan’s sites and detailed product info, see:

• www.ListProfitClub.com
• www.FindProductIdeas.com
• www.FreeNewsletterIdeas.com

Ladan Lashkari
www.LadanLashkari.com

Final words from Ladan:
P.S. If you'd like to contact me to share your thoughts or just say "Hi", I’ll be more than happy to hear from you. Feel free to email or visit my blog.

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