Michelle Cunningham shares over 5 different strategies that shy quiet introverts can use to find new prospects for their MLM business

Who is Michelle Cunningham?

Michelle was in pharmaceutical sales and then in commercial real estate before she got started in network marketing.

She has over 17 years of experience as a MLM leader and built a team of over 30,000 customers. She’s also the author of Do It Anyway Girl, a book that empowers network marketers with scripts and a simple step by step formula to get results.

Listen to Michelle Cunningham's Interview

How Michelle Cunningham Got Started in Network Marketing

Michelle's journey into network marketing was not something she planned. She grew up in a struggling single-parent household, where her mother worked hard to raise three kids with very little money.

Because of that, Michelle learned early on that if she wanted something, she had to work for it. Whether it was a backpack for school or a pair of soccer cleats, she knew she had to earn it herself.

Determined to create a better future, she put herself through college and landed what she thought was her dream job in pharmaceutical sales. It came with a good salary, a company car, and plenty of perks.

But just a few months in, she realized something was missing. She felt stuck. She hated having a boss and knew deep down she was meant for more.

That is when she was invited to a hotel meeting about a home-party-based business. She saw women making six figures, earning free cars, and building their own businesses.

At first, she thought it might be a scam, and her mom agreed. But something inside her told her to take a chance, so she signed up.

What happened next was not instant success—but it was the start of something big.

Michelle Cunningham’s Turning Point in Network Marketing

She was excited to start, but there was one big problem—she was extremely shy.

Her upline told her she needed to talk to strangers in grocery stores and parking lots. That idea terrified her, so she did nothing for six years.

During that time, she had $3,000 worth of inventory sitting on her shelf, untouched. She was frozen in fear, unsure how to start.

At 29, she was fed up with her commercial real estate job and knew she had to make a change. She reached out to a leader in her company and asked for help.

That conversation changed her life.

The leader told her something powerful: Successful women feel the fear and do it anyway.

For the first time, Michelle realized she did not need to be fearless—she just needed to take action.

Instead of trying to force herself to talk to strangers, she found new ways to generate leads that felt natural to her. She started using text messages, Facebook, and fun referral games that fit her personality.

That small shift in mindset led to massive success.

Michelle's Worst Moment in Network Marketing

Not every moment in her journey was easy.

One of her worst experiences happened at a home party she booked. It was a cold, rainy night, and the party was in an old apartment building with no lights outside.

When she finally got to the fourth floor, the hallway smelled terrible, and the apartment itself was filled with smoke. From the moment she walked in, she could tell one of the guests disliked her immediately.

This woman heckled her through the entire presentation, making it uncomfortable and stressful. Michelle rushed through her talk, barely selling anything, and could not wait to leave.

Driving home, she felt discouraged. But instead of letting that night defeat her, she reminded herself that every effort would be rewarded in some way.

And she was right.

At that party, she had collected some referrals. One of them led her to a sorority president at a major university. That one connection opened doors to multiple events on campus, bringing in thousands of dollars in sales and new recruits over the next few years.

What felt like a failure in the moment turned into one of her biggest wins.

Michelle Cunningham’s Best Advice for Success

She believes that success in network marketing is all about consistency and fun.

She learned that people are drawn to energy, and the more she gamified her business, the more people wanted to be a part of it.

One of her favorite methods was The Fabulous Game, where customers would write down names of people who might enjoy the products. This simple activity helped her turn one appointment into many more, creating an endless flow of new leads.

She also loved using Deal or No Deal, where customers could win a prize for booking a future appointment. By making everything a game, she made the process enjoyable, which kept her business growing.

Her biggest lesson? Confidence comes from action, not the other way around.

Too many people wait to feel confident before they take action. But in reality, confidence builds as you go. The key is to start—even if you feel scared.

The Million Dollar Question for Michelle Cunningham

If she had to start all over again in a new place where she knew no one, what would she do?

Without hesitation, she said she would start a YouTube channel.

She would create videos with network marketing tips to attract people who were already interested in the industry. She would use those videos to drive traffic to a landing page and start building relationships from there.

Michelle knows that in today’s world, success is not limited by location. The internet allows you to connect with people anywhere.

Her advice is simple: Do it afraid. Do it messy. Just do it anyway.

Network marketing changed her life, and she believes it can change yours too—if you are willing to take action.

Favorite Quote

“What other people think about me is none of my business.”

Must Read Books

Rock Your Network Marketing Business by Sarah Robbins

Freakishly Effective Social Media for Network Marketing by Ray Higdon 

Do It Anyway, Girl by Michelle Cunningham 

Recommended Online App

Facetime Video

Contact Info

Michelle Cunningham on Facebook and Instagram

Keys Lessons from Michelle Cunningham

Feel the fear and do it anyway. Success is not about waiting for fear to disappear but taking action despite it.

• Make your business fun and engaging. Using games like “The Fabulous Game” and “Deal or No Deal” makes it easier to book appointments and grow your network.

• Confidence comes from taking action. You do not need to feel ready before you start. Just start, and confidence will follow.

• Every effort is rewarded. Even bad experiences can lead to unexpected success, like Michelle’s worst home party turning into a massive business opportunity.

• Leverage online platforms. If you are starting from scratch, YouTube is a great way to attract prospects and build trust quickly.

Your Action Steps

Take action even when you are scared. Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Send that message, book that meeting, or launch that social media post today.

2. Find ways to make your business fun. Gamify your process by using contests, rewards, or simple activities that make recruiting and selling more engaging.

3. Use online strategies to expand your reach. Start creating content on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram to attract leads and position yourself as a leader in the industry.

The most important thing? Just start. Success is built one action at a time.