Empower Network News

Empower Network Launches New Blogging Platform

Press Release | 1/22/2015

The new features are part of Empower Network’s overall efforts to create a better experience for its members. The company is converting its existing blogs and platform to Kalatu, a WordPress-based platform, and setting up its new members on Kalatu. With the custom plugins and widgets they’ve developed, Empower Network removed unnecessary extra steps for its members wherever possible to make blogging fast, easy and profitable.

The custom Empower Network plugins are available exclusively on the new platform. Some of the featured new plug-ins include:

- The 21-Day Blogging Challenge: This plugin walks users through the process of creating a blog post step by step; users are asked a short series of questions that are designed to help create effective posts.

Opt-in Simple: Users are able to more easily acquire visitors’ contact information to grow their contact lists.

- Linkify: A user can easily shorten links using his or her own domain name, which also tracks each hit on the URL and provides a full, detailed report of where every hit originated.

- Social Pop: Visitors can share users’ content with ease through a set of sharing buttons linked to all the major social sites.

Empower Network encourages its members to submit their ideas for features, plugins or themes for the new platform to offer. The team will create new plugins based on popularity and requests from members and affiliates.

With the new blog, affiliates have the opportunity to pick their own domain names as well as the categories their blogs fall under.

“This move to WordPress is about making blogging easier for our affiliates,” said CEO Jonathan Cronstedt. “With easier and more user-friendly blogging capabilities, members are motivated to blog more regularly and are seeing greater success from the process.”

The new platform is still in testing mode and moving toward full launch. Empower Network expects to officially launch the new blogging platform in first-quarter 2015.

Empower Network Releases New App

Press Release | 1/16/2015

The app features four core components to aid in maintaining a successful online business: simplicity, intelligence, urgency and reward.

“We wanted our affiliates to see immediate results, thus driving sales,” said Empower Network CEO Jonathan Cronstedt. “This app allows affiliates to produce revenue and grow their teams faster than they previously could. We want to fully empower our customers for their own advancement.”

App users can share links to opportunities within Empower Network and know exactly when someone views the link and content, providing more insight and enabling greater success.

Empower Network is most known for its viral blogging system and has empowered more than 150,000 people to launch their own businesses and blogs using its system.

Empower Network Donates to Help the Homeless

Press Release | 12/20/2014

ORLANDO, Fla. December 17, 2014 -- During its fourth-quarter conference, Empower Network, a blogging and Web marketing company, made a $10,000 donation to Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida’s mission is to transform the lives of homeless men, women and children by providing crucial services to end their crisis of homelessness.

Empower Network’s founder, Dave Wood, was once homeless and the cause is important to the company.

“We enjoy having the ability to positively impact the local communities where we host events,” said Empower Network CEO Jonathan Cronstedt. “Helping to eradicate homelessness is such an important endeavor and we are glad we’re able to positively impact our community and the world around us.”

Each day the Coalition helps more than 600 homeless individuals - including more than 70 families with children - providing them safe shelter, nutritious meals and access to a broad range of resources to improve their lives.

This isn’t the first time Empower Network has assisted the homeless. In 2013, Empower Network was a sponsor for the 100,000 Homes Campaign that helped communities find and build homes for 100,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families.

Empower Network Acknowledges 6 New Million Dollar Performers

Press Release | 11/5/2014

Empower Network, a blogging, Web marketing and leadership training company, welcomed affiliates Shaqir Hussyin, Chris Jones, Chuck Marshall, Jon Mroz, Aaron Rashkin and Tracey Walker to its elite million-dollar member rankings with a ring ceremony at the company’s Fight the Forces of Evil conference in Orlando on Saturday.

“We’re very excited for the newest members of the Millionaire’s Club,” said Empower Network CEO Jonathan Cronstedt. “We enjoy giving recognition to the affiliates who make an extraordinary impact on Empower Network and our industry as a whole. Of course, the income examples shown here are extraordinary. Empower Network does not guarantee that you will make any money in our business. To see the average earnings, please see the full income disclosure.”

Empower Network presented each new member of the club with a 14-karat gold ring that showcases more than 80 diamonds with the Empower Network logo and the words “Millionaire’s Club” on the face of the ring. The left side is inscribed with the letters “MC” for Millionaire’s Club below the date that the member hit $1 million in sales. The right side of the ring shows the words “Empower Network” and the owner’s full name and the date he or she joined as an affiliate.

Empower Network unveiled the Millionaire’s Club at its July 2013 conference in Denver; more than 6,000 people were at the event. The Millionaire’s Club launched with five members and serves to demonstrate that by sticking with it and with enough focus and commitment, affiliates have the potential to reach $1 million by keeping with the company’s eight core commitments – including the commitment to market and blog daily.

The income examples shown are extraordinary. The income claims presented are not intended to serve as a guarantee of income. Instead, they’re designed to give consumers an idea of what’s possible. Success in this business, as with anything, requires leadership, hard work and dedication. Since Empower Network wants to help consumers make an informed decision, it’s gone above and beyond with its income disclosure document. To see the average earnings, please see the Full Income Disclosure.

Founder of Empower Network Announces Strategy Shift

Press Release | 10/14/2014

In addition, the David Wood Empower Network blog is moving over to the new platform as well. Thanks to its new design, more people than ever will be able to read and enjoy the David Wood blog posts and videos.

As a self-described visionary and leader, David loves nothing more than helping other people succeed. The successful marketer and inspirational speaker said he truly loves meeting and working with people, and helping inspire them to build their own businesses.

This love for people is highly evident in David Wood’s latest blog entry, titled “The Most Magical Place in the World.” In the moving video, David introduces his adorable infant son Gabriel to an appreciative audience who were attending an Empower Network seminar. In a special moment, David encourages the audience to also send a group greeting to his other son Angel, who was unable to attend that day. The love and appreciation that Wood feels for his wife, sons, and audience members was evident in the emotional video.

As David explains, he is dedicated to living up to the meaning behind his company’s name.

“The word ‘empower’ means to give ability to; enable or permit,” David said, adding that this is a key element to Empower Network's mission, which is dedicated to empowering as many people as possible through the network, training, products, support, opportunities and the honest and authentic message of hope and freedom that Empower Network offers.

“I founded my company on the idea that individuals can build businesses and have personal lives at the same time. I believe that individuals can use the struggles, hardships and experiences they've had in life and turn them into their most empowering assets.”

Empower Network Picks Orlando for Conference

Press Release | 7/31/2014

The company expects up to 5,000 attendees at the October 23-26 event.

"The event and the location cannot be missed," said CEO Jonathan Cronstedt. "Orlando has much to offer for our conference, including supplemental incentives like the area attractions, entertainment and dining options. We want our affiliates to better themselves and enjoy their time while attending these events; Orlando is the perfect place to achieve both."

Attendees will learn about company products and hear members of the leadership team speak, and the newest members of Empower Network's Millionaire's Club will receive recognition. Empower Network also plans to donate time and money to a local charity during the quarterly conference.

In June, Empower Network hosted a training event in Charlotte with 2,300 attendees.

Empower Network also hosted a regional event in Orlando in October 2013.

Empower Network Committed to Helping the Homeless

Press Release | 1/1/2014

Throughout the past year, Empower Network provided more than $120,000 in funds and services to numerous homeless organizations nationwide.

Prior to founding Empower Network, co-founders David Sharpe and David Wood experienced homeless life themselves. The successful company has more than 200,000 customers and grew sales from zero to $60 million in less than two years. Despite such gains, the two entrepreneurs' pasts continue to influence them strongly, and they run an organization committed to helping those less fortunate.

"At Empower Network, we promote a culture that empowers others in their lives and their work," said CEO Jonathan Cronstedt. "Remembering that two previously homeless men founded Empower Network is a constant reminder to work toward the betterment of others. As we continue our growth, we'll also continue our dedication to those without homes by sharing our resources to provide food, clothing and shelter to those in need."

In the first quarter, at an Empower Network event, the company presented the Austin Habitat for Humanity with a $66,000 donation, which built an Austin-based home, dedicated in July, for a mother and her children.

During Empower Network's second-quarter conference, attendees raised more than $37,000 for the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts to aid the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

In an effort to expand its reach and focus its giving, Empower Network announced a partnership with 100,000 Homes, a national non-profit organization dedicated to finding permanent housing for 100,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families nationwide.

This year Empower Network donated a total of $20,000 to 100,000 Homes and its local partners. The company's first donation in the partnership was at its third-quarter conference in Denver – Empower Network donated $10,000 to Denver's Road Home, a homelessness charity and 100,000 Homes partner. The company donated another $10,000 during its fourth-quarter regional conference tour to OC Community Services in Anaheim, Calif.; CitySquare in Dallas, Texas; Community Partnership in Washington D.C.; and 100,000 Homes in Orlando, Fla.

Empower Network Reaches 200,000 Customer Landmark

Press Release | 12/14/2013

"We have so much to be thankful for this year, including the growth of our company and how much we've been able to give back to the community," said CEO Jonathan Cronstedt. "We are excited to celebrate our 200,000th customer and can't wait to celebrate our two millionth customer."

Since its founding, Empower Network has established a name for itself by hosting one of the largest blogging platforms available, empowering online marketers and small businesses.

"Empower Network breaks down the barriers of what a lot of people have said could not be done by an Internet business," said affiliate member Justin Verrengia. "What this company sells is an opportunity for people to turn around their businesses and their lives."

One of Empower Network's key philosophies is the principle of welcoming individuals of virtually any background into its company and affiliate program with the belief that they, too, can achieve success.

Prior to establishing Empower Network, co-founders David Wood and David Sharpe both experienced homelessness and, as a result, focus on offering the possibility of financial success to those with enough dedication, regardless of personal background.

Empower Network Names New CEO

Press Release | 12/3/2013

Cronstedt has tremendous experience leading direct marketing and Internet-based companies as the previous CEO of Digital Marketer and as the vice president of business development for Kajabi. He is also the chairman of Prodigy Consulting Group, a full-service finance and consulting organization.

"We are excited to have Jonathan to guide the growth of the Empower Network company and brand," said President David Sharpe. "Jonathan has the leadership experience in our industry to bring Empower Network to even greater levels of success."

Jonathan worked in previous executive leadership positions for mortgage, finance, digital publishing and direct sales companies.

"It is a time of great opportunity for Empower Network as the company continues to grow and mature and we focus on enhancing our products, customer experience and brand," Cronstedt said.

Cronstedt, 32, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Concordia University-Irvine. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicole, and savoring a glass of Justin Isosceles wine. Empower Network co-founder David Wood, who previously served as the company's CEO, now becomes the company chairman.

Empower Network Announces Location of Next Conference

Press Release | 10/22/2013

In July, the company hosted a national conference in Denver, which brought 6,000 attendees and an economic impact of more than $8.6 million to the city. Empower Network expects similar numbers for Miami.

In its fourth quarter this year, Empower Network hosted four regional conferences in Anaheim, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Fla.

"We have held smaller events in Miami and are excited to host our largest event there," said Empower Network COO Jerry Ballard. "Many of our affiliates will love Miami in January. It's very appealing as far as temperature and attractions. We anticipate our attendees will arrive early to make a week of it."

The Miami conference is scheduled for Jan. 24-26, 2014, at the James L. Knight International Center located in the center of downtown Miami at 400 SE Second Ave.

Empower Network Expecting 2,000 Conference Attendees

Press Release | 10/10/2013

“We’re happy to have Empower Network in Anaheim,” said Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau Vice President of Communications Elaine Cali. “We’re thrilled their company is going to be here. We expect things to be very positive for all of the attendees.”

During the conference, Empower Network will unveil Blog Beast, its new blogging platform; make a $2,500 donation to local homelessness charity Orange County Community Services; recognize top affiliates who collectively earned more than $12 million in quarterly commissions and bonuses; and provide training for its affiliates.

“We are ready to kick off the fourth quarter with a bang,” said Empower Network President David Sharpe. “Anaheim – as well as our other three regional conferences – is a great way to launch our new blog and show the local communities that we care.”

The company invested more than $3.2 million in Blog Beast, its new blogging platform, which the company predicts will rival WordPress, TypePad and Tumblr, among other popular blogging systems.

Choosing a homelessness charity to donate to is a personal decision of Empower Network’s co-founders David Wood and David Sharpe, who were both homeless at different points in their lives. After living real-life rags-to-riches American dream stories, they now run a $60 million company, and the issue of homelessness still hits close to home. The $2,500 donation to OC Community Services will aid Orange County area’s fight to end homelessness. OC Community Services is an affiliate of 100,000 Homes, a national organization dedicated to finding permanent housing for 100,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families. Empower Network announced a national partnership with 100,000 Homes earlier this year.

The Empower Network team has a track record of supporting worthy causes, especially those benefiting people and families in need.

Empower Network presented a $10,000 check to Denver’s Road Home at its third-quarter conference in Denver. Before this donation, Empower Network raised $66,000 for Austin Habitat for Humanity and more than $30,000 for the American Red Cross in support of the Boston Marathon bombing victims.

Empower Network to Release Blog Beast

Press Release | 9/12/2013

Blog Beast, in which Empower Network invested $3 million and one year to develop, offers a multitude of features not yet seen among the current generation of blog software. Empower Network's new system allows users to maintain multiple blogs among multiple domains from one account and one login. It is faster, easier to use and a better design than the original version, as well as other blogging platforms, say company officials. One of the highlights of Blog Beast is its mobile app, which syncs the computer and smartphone blogging systems in new ways. In the past, other blog platforms have released mobile apps that were watered down and not as feature-rich. Blog Beast will truly bring the same experience users enjoy on the Web to their mobiles. WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr and other popular blog platforms don't offer some of the key features and benefits users find with Blog Beast.

"When you start getting into the setup, maintenance and advance features, WordPress really is a difficult pain," said President David Sharpe. "It was designed to be super user-friendly. Over time, it's become more and more complicated. Whether you agree or you don't, we've decided to make blogging easy so anyone could do it, even a grandma who's new to the Internet. Blog Beast is everything WordPress was originally meant to be."

Blog Beast simplifies the audio/video blogging experience by allowing the user to record video or audio with the aid of a mobile app. With two simple clicks, anyone can post a podcast or video online from a smartphone or computer, making Blog Beast essentially "grandma-proof."

Sharing is also easier because Blog Beast allows users to reblog posts from other Blog Beast sites, giving the original author credit, while posting the content within their own blogs. A new proprietary commenting feature allows readers to share blogs and their blog comments on social media platforms with links back to the original blog posts.

Users can also withhold premium content with a paywall, which restricts access to such content and offers a call to action for viewers to upgrade their accounts in order to view it.

"We wanted to create an atmosphere where no matter where you are and what your idea is, you can put it on your blog when inspiration strikes," Sharpe said. "That's one of the many ways we are changing the viral blogging industry. Imagine building and managing a business from your phone."

Other features available through Blog Beast are training on blogging, marketing and leadership, as well as a customer relationship management system that allows a user to access his or her back office, view sales and transactions as well as send email blasts to customer groups.

Empower Network will automatically migrate all existing customers to its new platform on Oct. 7.

Empower Network Launches Millionaires Club for Top Performers

Press Release | 8/28/2013

During its quarterly conference, held in Denver in July, Empower Network unveiled this new initiative to a crowd of more than 6,000 attendees. As much an example as it is a form of peer recognition, the club serves to demonstrate that with enough focus, commitment and perseverance, affiliates can reach an income of $1 million by following the company's eight core commitments.

"Success is all about your own level of commitment, time and effort," said co-founder and President David Sharpe. "Empower Network rewards and celebrates its affiliates' successes. We want our affiliates to succeed and build upon their wealth."

The new group currently consists of five members who were inducted at the Denver conference. Empower Network's Millionaire's Club members include co-founders of the company David Wood and David Sharpe as well as Tony Rush, Vick Strizheus and Lawrence Tam.

"Empower Network inducted me into the Millionaire's Club and gave me a huge Super Bowl-like gold ring," said affiliate member Tony Rush. "This ring isn't just a ring, it's a symbol – a symbol that someone like me can go from frustrated and burnt out [with corporate America] to building a huge team of people who are living with purpose in their lives."

New members are presented with a 14-carat gold ring that showcases more than 240 diamonds and is emblazoned with the company's logo and inscribed with "Millionaire's Club" on the face of the ring. The right side of the ring features the words "Empower Network" in addition to the owner's full name and the date they joined as an affiliate. The left is inscribed with the abbreviation "MC" below the date that the affiliate hit $1 million in sales. MTM, the company that made the New England Patriots' Super Bowl rings, is also behind the creation of Empower Network's Millionaire's Club rings.

Empower Network plans to hold similar ring induction ceremonies as more affiliates earn spots in the Millionaire's Club upon reaching the million-dollar mark.

Empower Network pays commissions pursuant to the current compensation plan. Empower Network does not guarantee that affiliates will make any money from use or promotion of its products and services. While we can not guarantee profit from use or promotion of Empower Network products or service, please view the data on our current commission structure. Income disclosures are available online.

Empower Network Sponsors 100000 Homes Campaign

Press Release | 8/4/2013

In 2010, Community Solutions launched the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement of more than 200 communities working together to find permanent housing for 100,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families by July 2014. To date, participating communities have permanently housed more than 60,000 people.

"Some of the immediate basic needs for humans include food, clothing and shelter," said Empower Network co-founder and CEO David Wood. "It is amazing how few people actually have these three basic needs met and have to make their shelter from cardboard boxes or in abandoned buildings."

Wood and company co-founder Dave Sharpe were each homeless for years. Sharpe spent 10 years of his life as a homeless and addicted to drugs and alcohol. Five years ago, through the support of friends and family he became sober. Today, he and Wood live the American dream, going from homeless and rock bottom to empowerment, success and prosperity. They are now growing their company while helping others empower themselves.

"Having been there myself, I know how much Empower Network's sponsorship will give the homeless hope," Sharpe said. "Hope is the best thing you can give to someone. And if we don't forget where we came from, we won't have to go back there to remember what it was like."

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness' "The State of Homelessness in America 2013" report, more than 630,000 people were experiencing homelessness in 2012. Federal estimates indicate nearly 100,000 of those are chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for an extended period of time and suffer from serious health conditions.

Empower Network adopted an innovative sponsorship model with 100,000 Homes, which includes funding the campaign's national work as well as sponsoring its local community affiliates directly.

Recently, Empower Network donated $10,000 to Denver's Road Home, a local Denver affiliate of 100,000 Homes that has moved more than 390 chronic and vulnerable homeless people into permanent housing. In Austin, Texas, Empower Network donated $60,000 for a Habitat for Humanity home.

Empower Network Gives to Help the Homeless

Press Release | 7/22/2013

“I know homelessness and the challenges of it,” said Sharpe. “Therefore, causes like Denver’s Road Home touch my heart. We must help people get off the streets and find food, clothing and shelter. As Empower Network prospers, Dave and I make it a top priority to give to the homeless community. We want to give a hand up to them and share with them the opportunity that we found.”

Denver’s homeless problem is a major issue in the city. There are more than 11,000 homeless men, women and children in the metro Denver area. Of those, nearly 1,000 are living unsheltered on the streets, under bridges or in public buildings.

Denver’s Road Home is a 10-year plan to end homelessness. Now in its seventh year of the plan, Denver’s Road Home has created 2,653 housing opportunities for the homeless, prevented 5,871 families and individuals from becoming homeless and mentored 1,058 families and seniors out of homelessness.

The Empower Network team has a track record of supporting worthy causes, especially those benefiting people and families in need.

Empower Network presented the $10,000 check on Saturday to Denver’s Road Home at its quarterly conference in Denver, held at the Bellco Theater.

Before this donation, Empower Network raised $66,000 for Austin Habitat for Humanity and more than $30,000 for American Red Cross in support of the Boston Marathon Bombing victims.

This most recent donation to Denver’s Road Home will help the organization feed, clothe and house homeless residents. Denver’s Road Home is the local affiliate to 100,000 Homes, a national movement of 205 communities working together to find permanent homes for 100,000 of the country’s most vulnerable homeless individuals and families by July 2014.

Empower Network Supports Boston Victims

Press Release | 7/8/2013

During Empower Network's recent Chicago conference, the company raised the money among its attendees for the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts.

The affiliate web marketing company sold 'All In' bracelets to conference attendees for $5 each with proceeds going towards the American Red Cross.

"It was moving to see our more than 5,000 attendees supporting their fellow Americans," said Empower Network Co-Founder David Sharpe.

Empower Network donated an additional $7,100 based on scores and outcomes from team building games at the conference.

Contact the Red Cross for additional information on supporting those affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings.