Thank you. Thank you everyone. Please sit down. Wow. Wow. Look at this atmosphere, isn't it? It's wonderful to be here with all of you.
We are truly happy here to celebrate together. We have some special fans over there, right? And over here too, right? And this whole stadium, right? And these are the things I have experienced in this business opportunity, and everything is nothing but wonderful, exciting things and friends coming together in celebration events. And I want to give a special thanks to all of you for taking the time to be here tonight. We are very grateful. I know that many of you had a hard time getting here today. And I am sure that tonight will be a wonderful thing for you and for your business opportunity in the future.
And especially, I also want to give a special welcome to all of you who are here for the first time. How many of you are here for the first time? And there is nothing more wonderful than your welcome for us. Just as we always want to welcome you in that way. And when I and Aon stepped onto the stage and felt the welcoming atmosphere from you, I felt that this is truly a wonderful thing for us in this business.
And tonight, I just want to take a little time for us to think about the future. And you know, to make it clear, our future is based on a solid foundation of the past. And as you strive every day to set goals and achieve them, you must always believe that this business and Amway company are always with you. And the most important thing is that we need to know how we got results today. And that is a wonderful opportunity for us to fulfill all the promises so that we can move toward the future.
And you just heard about the celebration of the 100th birthday of my father and Mr. Jay. And I assure you that my father and Mr. Jay never imagined that one day we would stand in a stadium in Vietnam to celebrate with Amway Vietnam like today. But we are here. I remember that many people asked Rick and Jay if they ever imagined Amway would become as big as it is today. And they always answered, 'I never imagined, we never thought it would be this big.' We simply started this business opportunity to create a business opportunity to help our families and help people have a better life. And then people would go back to their families and say, 'We have a vision.' And they said, 'I don't really, we didn't have a big vision.' We just went and worked every day, you all. We believed in ourselves and believed in this business opportunity, so we worked hard every day. Just working hard like you all.
And I want to talk about the core values. And I first talk about the value of recognition for you. And you see me when I started the Amway Vietnam business opportunity here in Vietnam, right? And when we wanted to go down, people started calling, right? And I want to ask Aon to stand up, right? Aon is the grandson of Mr. Jay, and this is his first trip to Vietnam. And I promise Aon that this is not the last trip to Vietnam, right? Amway business. And I want to take a little time to share with you how Rick and Jay protected and maintained the Amway business. And I want to talk about it more deeply because I see that you have done so many things, and this inspires us, brings us to this point, and we will continue to maintain those values to bring to the future.
And you have heard a lot about the four basic values of Amway: freedom, family, imagination, and hope, right? And these are the core ideas that Rick and Jay had when they started this business opportunity. And these core values have proven who they are and what they wanted to become and how they did things. And they brought those core values to us so that we know who we are, why we do, and how we do. And I want to focus more deeply on the value of what we have done and how we have done. Because we need to understand very clearly the basic principles and core values of our business.
The first thing I want to talk about is integrity. And just like today when we built this stage, we also had to do the first thing: dig deep to make a solid foundation. So when it rains and winds, this structure will still be solid. And we started these things right from the beginning of this business opportunity. And the first thing I want to share is what happened in Vietnam. And when we first came to Vietnam, we were guests in your country. And we complied with all the regulations, laws, and rules of this industry so that we could start this business. And we did everything in compliance with the laws and regulations. Not because we had to, but because we wanted to, in order to build this business sustainably.
And before coming to tonight's event, we had the opportunity to meet with Vietnamese officials and we committed that we always comply with the law to have a sustainable business. And that is extremely important. And when we build this business, many years ago we led a delegation to investigate all business activities in Ada. And the scientists presented what they were doing and what tools and equipment they had to do it. And they said there was a device that was very unique and in the whole US there were only two of these devices. One was in a very prestigious university in the US and the other was at the Amway research institute. Isn't that wonderful? And when the scientist reported that, two things happened in my mind. This device must be very expensive. And the second thing I thought was, who allowed this purchase? Who approved? And I tried to make sure that the device was very expensive, right? But I believe that the Amway R&D team knows that we are always committed to providing our scientists with the most modern equipment so that they can bring the best products to all of you.
And integrity has been applied to the management of the entire process, and we have applied it, and I believe that you have also applied it to bring the best products to consumers as well as to your business. And when Amway products go around the world, everyone recognizes the superior quality of Amway products, right? And the second thing I want to share is about the business opportunity. And I remember many years ago when I was sitting in the car with my father and he was looking out the window and thinking about something, and I asked him, 'What are you thinking?' And my father smiled and looked at me and said, 'I'm thinking about plans for the business opportunity.' I asked my father, 'What do you mean?' And he said, 'Just think, a very simple idea has been able to connect with people all over the world for decades.' And the wonderful thing is that people can work together, develop together, and earn income together, and it can be limitless in time. And here we are, almost 70 years, right? And that original idea still exists regardless of time.
What you are sharing with your prospects about the Amway opportunity is exactly the same as what Mr. Rick and Mr. Jay shared initially, you all. Because we built this integrity from the very beginning. And I know that many people are challenging this integrity. And we are building the reputation of this business in Vietnam, but many people are still very skeptical, and that's okay, right? There is a funny story: there was a man near Ada who did not believe in the business opportunity, and he would walk past the Amway headquarters every day, year after year. And every time he walked by, he thought in his head, 'This idea will never succeed.' And after a few years, he saw us building facilities, building factories, but he still thought it couldn't succeed. And in the following years, he saw more buildings built, factories expanded. And after 10, 15, 20 years, he began to decide that maybe the business opportunity could work. And he wanted to walk into Amway headquarters, meet Rick and Jay, and tell them, 'Finally, I acknowledge that the idea can be done.' And I am sure that Rick and Jay really liked to hear that. And those things can happen just like you here, in the times you work. When you share the business opportunity, they will tell you, 'I don't think this opportunity can work.' And you keep sharing, you keep selling, you keep sponsoring, and you keep building your business system. And don't let those people slow down your success.
And I hope that I have made you understand clearly about the integrity and the uniqueness of this business opportunity. And when things change outside, our business opportunity remains steady and develops. And the second thing I want to share is about personal work. And I want to talk about hope. And when we say that Amway brings hope, we want to emphasize focusing on people first. I know that we talk about products, we talk about the business opportunity, we talk about support, but we never forget that the business opportunity is about people and about you. And we always follow that direction.
And many years ago, there was a distributor who came and said that the business was not going very well. And she was at the Platinum level. And my father saw her and asked her, 'Are you okay?' And she said to my father, 'How can you remember my name, because I am only a Platinum.' And my father said, 'Never say "only". I know what you did to achieve that level. I remember you when you started. I know the challenges you faced. I know how hard you worked to achieve your accomplishments. Never lose faith in yourself when someone says something bad about you. Because I always know what you did, and you are very important to me.'
I know that you here are achieving different levels of success. And some of you have good income, some of you have received recognition. But each of you, each of you is a very important member to all of us. Right, you know. Yeah. In the early days, there was a consultant. And many years ago, there were consulting companies that came to talk to Rick and Jay and said, 'We think we can help you improve this business.' And they said, 'OK, we invite you.' And after they investigated, they said, 'The only problem you have is that you allow everyone to participate in this business opportunity. We think you should set some standards before they can join. Maybe they need to have some degrees. Maybe they need to have sales experience. And maybe they need to have an ability to inspire or communicate. And the problem is that you are letting everyone participate.' And Rick and Jay rejected that. And they asked, 'Now who will we send away? Because with Amway, we don't want to exclude anyone. We want to bring everyone into this business.' And the entire business plan is based on that philosophy: helping others. And all of you in the front rows have done wonderfully. You have helped many people. People have made the Amway opportunity spread everywhere. And the important thing is that we always put the interests of others first.
Next, I want to share about collaboration. And we look back at the relationship between Rick and Jay, which is a very clear testimony of collaboration. And they spent a lot of time together, cooperating and continuously developing. And you, before they started the Amway business, their friendship began very early when they were still in school. And they started talking to each other, sharing ideas about the basic principles and core values of Amway. And they shared their thoughts about wanting to achieve success. And they built a relationship that strengthened over time. And I see that testimony more clearly when I have conversations with Rick and Jay. And I asked them, 'Share with me a little about your relationship.' And they thought for a moment and they shared with me, 'This might be the best way to explain it to you. When we started this business, the father of (my) spent a lot of time with the distributors. And when he thought, he would be the one to make decisions. And when he had made a decision, I knew there might be problems, but I still trusted him 100%. And whatever he decided, that is what I would support.' And he looked at me and smiled and said, 'Even if your father is wrong, I still trust him.' And they talked a little. And Mr. Jay said, 'I focus on the production line, making quality products. And when the business grew very quickly, he was the one who had to make decisions.' And Mr. Jay said, 'Your father supported me 100%.' And Mr. Jay smiled and told me, 'Even when I am wrong, your father still supports me.' That is the beauty of their relationship. And that is collaboration. That is when we cooperate, we need to trust our friend's decision even if we know it might be wrong. And when something goes wrong, they still sit together to find a solution and solve the problem. They never try to find the other's fault. They are committed to working together to find a solution. And that is how they work. And there are times when you also, you work, you may have disagreements with your upline, downline, or even with the company. And there may be times when we or we make mistakes, right? And there are times when you make mistakes. But the real value of collaboration is that we sit together, find a solution together, solve the problem, and make the outcome better. That is collaboration.
And the last thing I want to share with you is the value of responsibility. And many years ago, when we had an opportunity, and we recognized the core foundational values of our history. And we saw the potential of the future, of hope. And that is what each of us needs to act on to turn those things into success. And no one can make you succeed except yourself. With all the support from the company, with the training from your upline, and all the support. But we cannot set goals for you; only you can set your own goals, right? Only you can do that. We cannot remind you every day to wake up and go sell, share products with customers, or go sponsor new distributors. You have to do that. And you are the one who decides whether you will act to succeed or not. And we always believe that when we give opportunities, there will be someone who will work hard to seize that opportunity and succeed. And I believe that you can do it. And we believe that when you set goals, you can achieve them. But we cannot do it for you. Your upline cannot do it for you either. This is entirely up to you to act. Amway diamond leaders. And we have organized many recognition and reward ceremonies for the diamonds in this business. And we do that recognition for several reasons. We want to recognize and congratulate them and let them know how wonderful they have done. But we also do that recognition so that you see that if they can do it, you can do it too. And there are no shortcuts in this business. Do you know that many years ago, many of you sitting in the front were sitting in the back? They had no special favors. They attended meetings like this and said to themselves, 'I can do it,' and they set goals for themselves and wanted to achieve them. And their success proves to you that if you set goals, you can also do it. And that is your responsibility. No one can do it for you. No one can do it for you.
But the wonderful thing is that we have an opportunity. Do you know that when Amway was still new, many people thought that success in Amway had a shortcut. Some people came to Rick and Jay and said, 'I have a lot of sales experience and I have a whole sales system. And maybe with our experience, we can do something.' And Rick and Jay said, 'We have a starting point for you: go out there, sponsor new people, and sell.' And there is no special favor and no shortcut here. Because this is a wonderful opportunity for everyone. And this is also the value of responsibility, integrity, personal value, collaboration, and responsibility. And that is what we have done and how we have done to build this business opportunity. And I really hope that you will apply all these values to your business opportunity as well as your future. And from there, you can build a sustainable business system that lasts over time.
And I want to end my sharing with a story. Many years ago, I had an opportunity to move to Europe. This was the first time in my career to go to Europe. And I was very nervous because I had never lived outside my family in Michigan. And I had the opportunity to become the general manager in London. And it was a wonderful opportunity, but I was very nervous. I almost didn't want to accept that assignment. And Mr. Jay called me and talked about it. And he started by encouraging me and telling me what would happen. And in the conversation, he kept saying, 'I believe you can do it and you will do wonderfully.' And I started thinking, 'How can I do anything wonderful there? I don't know how I will do it.' And he still believed in me. And at that time, I was smart enough to keep quiet. I didn't say it out loud, I only thought in my head. But those words stayed with me. He believed in me. And after I arrived in London and worked and learned so much, and when I returned home, I remembered that conversation. And I understood the value of his encouragement to me. And we cannot imagine when those moments will happen. If Mr. Jay were here, he would say the same thing to each and every one of you. And he would look into your eyes and into the eyes of your prospects, and he would see the potential in you. And in the same way, he would say, 'We believe in you, and we believe that you will do wonderful things to have a wonderful business in Vietnam.' And I believe that you will make Amway Vietnam's first 20 years very special. And I believe that you will make Amway Vietnam's next 20 years even more wonderful.
And I believe that you will build Amway based on integrity, to understand the potential of every person in this Amway business opportunity in Vietnam, and build relationships of collaboration that last over time, and take responsibility to take this business of Amway, of yours, to new heights. And I know that we will work together and we will not leave anyone behind. And this is the message I want to send to you. We have an extremely strong foundation, and we have an even greater opportunity in the future. And we work together to maximize the development of the Amway business opportunity to reach more people and help more people succeed. Set your own goals and the image you want to become in the future. And commit to doing what is necessary to make that a reality. We believe in you. And finally, we seize the opportunity to build a wonderful future together. Thank you all. Thank you.
