We signed up as ABOs on 21 February 2007. I was working for the Penang Ferry Service then, earning a meagre monthly salary of RM760, while my late wife Shafyeenaz Nadia Abdullah was selling nasi lemak.

I am grateful to Allah for Amway and for my inlaws cum upline, who demonstrated what great leadership is about and provided the guidance we needed. Without them, we wouldn’t have gotten this far.

From the start, we were trained to be independent in handling our own Amway business. If we wanted to meet our uplines, we had to make an appointment. We also had to attend centre meetings and seminars. We knew they wanted us to develop the strength to sail through any challenges.

Looking back, we truly appreciate the lessons they taught us. The Ikut Cakap Upline (ICU) (Listen to your Upline) does not mean that we blindly follow their direction. Indeed, following their teachings and advice faithfully is a sign of respect.

All uplines naturally want the best for their downlines. They want us to achieve our dreams and emulate their success. That is what we firmly planted in our mind all these years. Because of that, we get to enjoy the fruits of our labour today.

Our first Amway trip was the 2013 Amway Leadership Seminar (ALS) Hokkaido. Since then, we have never missed a chance to travel with Amway – it’s truly an experience unlike any other.

However, the biggest challenge for me was when I lost the love of my life, my beloved wife, on 1 May 2019. She had been there for me through thick and thin. But God had a different plan for her. We had 5 children and the youngest was only 2 years old.

Although it was hard, I had to be strong and carry on. I worked tirelessly to achieve our dreams, and to fulfill my responsibilities towards my family. Alhamdulillah, we successfully qualified as Diamonds in 2021.

For that, I would like to thank my beloved in-laws cum upline. Without the both of you, we are nobody today. Thanks to my parents Redzuan & Azizah who prayed for our success; to Rich DeVos & Jay Van Andel for this great business opportunity; and to my team for believing and putting their faith in this business.

"Looking back, we truly appreciate the lessons they taught us. The Ikut Cakap Upline (ICU) (Listen to your Upline) does not mean that we blindly follow their direction. Indeed, following their teachings and advice faithfully is a sign of respect."