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June:
Canada
became Amway first international market in 1962,
and in 1964
Jim and Sharon Janz of British Columbia signed
on as IBOs. Over the years, they’ve been involved in the
Board as a parade of new markets came online.
“When Amway built the Center of Free Enterprise,” says Jim,
indicating the centerpiece of the World Headquarters complex
in Ada, Michigan, “this became an international business.
That’s when IBOs began the explosive expansion. The Board
even helped create the formulas for the marketing plans.”
With that expansion, IBOs could take their businesses to
other countries, from the Americas, to Europe, Australia,
and even Asia, including markets some thought would never
support free enterprise.
Jim remembers a particularly visionary speech by Amway
co-founder
Jay Van Andel. “At the close of one his Diamond
Club speeches in Hawaii, Jay predicted that one day we would
be in China. At the time, it was still a closed country. Jay said, ‘We will be
in business in China.’” Today, China is one of Amway’s
busiest markets among its more than 80.
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