The worldwide network marketing industry is estimated to be worth around $180 billion1. And in this industry, it’s not an exaggeration to say that success is elusive and the competition is fierce. In fact, a study by the AARP Foundation estimates that at least 50% of network marketing professionals drop out after one year in the business, with more than 90% dropping out before 10 years.2 So how can a common man fare against these odds?
“I just never quit.”
Pathman Senathirajah is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, lawyer, and author, who comes with over 24 years of expertise in direct selling and business leadership. Currently the Director of Marketing and Sales for the multinational conglomerate QI Group, he started as a lawyer for the group’s direct selling subsidiary QNET before becoming a full-fledged entrepreneur with the guidance of his mentor.
Why network marketing? What makes this concept of entrepreneurship stand out among all the other industries in the world?
“This is the only business concept in the world where you don’t make money on your own. The more people you help grow, you grow,” Senathirajah shares. “The framework of the business is very simple, easily understandable for the common man and the common woman.”
Indeed, the network marketing or direct selling business model is very straightforward—products or services are sold directly to the end consumer, cutting out the need for a middle man, allowing for entrepreneurs to benefit from higher profit margins while relying heavily on a network built from genuine relationships between direct sellers.
Fortunately for Pathman Senathirajah, he was able to realise early on the transformative capacity of the QNET business, understanding that it could offer a pathway to financial independence and personal development.
“I was a common man with an uncommon dream. I believe that each of us have the God-given right to reach our limitless potential, to decide who we become, how we choose to live. This is our one life and this is our personal journey towards achieving success—on our own terms.”
With persistence, dedication, and an unrivaled work ethic, he quickly ascended the ranks, proving his innate ability to both lead and inspire other individuals. He built a vast network spanning multiple countries, beginning in his hometown in Malaysia to other Asian and Middle East countries before heading to Europe and the Americas.
Over the years, he has continuously nurtured strong relationships with the people he worked with, considering himself lucky to be part of a global family of entrepreneurs. These same people contribute Pathman Senathirajah’s extraordinary success to his leadership style, which he says he learned from and duplicated from his mentor.
“Leadership is the respect you earn from your organisation. It’s a position not of power but of care. And for us, the greatest form of leadership is service. I always aspire to be the benchmark for service above self, and the only form of power that servant leadership confers us is humility.”
Rather than merely instructing his team with a step-by-step process of what to do, he walks the talk, rolling up his sleeves and actively engaging in the field. He believes in the concept of limitless potential, investing time and resources in mentoring, training, and instilling in individuals the skills and confidence to thrive in the industry. This dedication to the success of others has fostered an environment within the QI Group where everyone has an equal opportunity to grow and prosper.
Aside from his leadership skills, what sets Pathman Senathirajah apart is his unwavering vision for the future. His strategic business acumen and ability to adapt to the ever-changing market dynamics played a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding his network of influence. With a deep understanding of the evolving trends in network marketing, he stays abreast of consumer behaviour shifts and technological advancements, allowing him to leverage this knowledge to further propel QNET to a path of accelerated growth.
What does the next decade hold for this entrepreneur?
“We can never predict our future. What we can control is our attitude, our dedication, our integrity and work ethic in the present. How we live today is ultimately the foundation we are building for the legacy we leave behind when we are no longer around. So I simply believe in building the business right and focusing on raising people and improving myself, one day at a time.”
