My Background

Hi, my name is Iman Wan. Many people assume that I am Malay. When they meet me they will ask “are you Malay… how come you look Chinese…?” Daaa… so typical of Malaysians. I’m a Chinese from head to toe, my religion is Islam, and that makes me a Chinese Muslim. Well I guess people do get confuse between race and religion sometimes.

I am a marketing research analyst by training. I got my BSBA degree in marketing in Missouri USA back in 1989 but never landed a job in marketing research. I guess my passion for music drove me away from it. Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve fantasized about being a pop star. Back then I couldn’t speak Bahasa at all so being a celebrity in Malaysia was not a good idea. What about going to Hong Kong and be a canton pop idle? Well, my Cantonese was bad let alone writing and speaking Chinese. Therefore, my option was English. When my dad agreed for me to pursue a business degree in the States, I grabbed the opportunity. But on the back of my mind, it was my passport to pursue a music career in America.

After completing my degree, I got a job in Guitar Center, one of the most popular music equipments retail chain in America. I met many producers, musicians, Hollywood actors and famous celebs like Stevie Wonder, Santana, Eddy Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and many more. I thought maybe some of them could open the door to the industry for me. It was so competitive and being an Asian and a foreigner didn’t help much. I found myself enrolled in UCLA for a Diploma in Music Business. I thought maybe it would be easier to have a career as the people behind the limelight. I also got a job with a music publisher. That was when I seriously decided why not be a songwriter since I have been writing songs anyways from my high school days.

Then in 1994, the Los Angeles ‘Earth Quake’ struck. What a scary experience. So freaked out by it, somehow or rather following that incident, I made my way back to home sweet home Malaysia. As a consolation, I got a job as a record executive in a multi-national recording company, Warner Music Malaysia as the Head of International. Well maybe it was more than just a consolation after all. It also opened the door for me to pitch my songs. My first hit ‘Bersatu Hati’ was recorded by Sheila Majid, Azlina and Liza Aziz. It launched my songwriting career in Malaysia.

I went on to work for other music labels like Polygram Records as the A&R manager, Sony Music as the Strategic Marketing manager, and Indy giant New Southern Records as the A&R and Marketing Director where I discovered, signed and marketed artist like Kamikaze and Flop Poppy. I continued to produce and wrote for many Malaysian recording artists. As non-Malay, my songs did not sound mainstream Malay pop. Therefore they seldom made it to radio. Nevertheless, I do have many hits here and there like Amy Mastura’s ‘Akan Datang’, Siti Nurhaliza’s ‘Cinta Tak Berganti’, Kamikaze’s ‘Luhur’, Moin’s ‘Kau Yang Ku Sayang’, Hetty Sarlene & Anuar’s ‘Demi Cinta Ini’ and many more.

When music reality TV craze took center stage, I was blessed to be involved as talent scout and became a critic on one of TV’s most successful hit ‘Akademi Fantasia’. It was their 3rd season which happened to be the most watched and popular season. AF3 launched the career of superstar ‘Mawi’ whom I together with Fatimah Abu Bakar discovered during the JB auditions. Overnight I suddenly became somewhat a celebrity. People started to recognize me wherever I went. Believe it or not, I had fans.

The music industry was going through an evolution where people were not buying albums as much. Album sales were the bread and butter for recording companies. I started questioning my future with the labels. In that same period, my youngest son Adam was diagnosed with Autism. I realized that I had to plan better for his future. In short I have to make a lot of money. Depending on a salary was not the option. I quit my job and went into business.

After over 10 years in music distribution, naturally I went into similar avenues. I licensed dramas and movies from the Philippines and Indonesia for the VCD market in Malaysia. Sadly like many new small businesses, cash flow problems were inevitable. It forced me to shut down the operation. Financially, those were some of the toughest times in my life. Determined to not go back to employment, I cracked my head on what’s next. Luckily I still had music production jobs here and there to cover loose ends.

It was around this time where I was prospected to start a business in network distribution. I told myself have I gone nuts? Am I really that desperate? Am I willing to go ‘door to door’ and do direct sales? It was a decision that changed not only my career but my entire perception of life, mentality, character, beliefs, and most important my attitude.

Yes today I am proud to say that I am a professional entrepreneur, builder, trainer and speaker in the network marketing industry. However, it has been one of the most challenging 5 years of my life ever. I went into unknown territories. I’ve never done MLM before and I know peanuts about the industry let alone dealing with my ‘hung up’ ego which I developed over the years as a popular music man. Imagine I went from a most celebrated entertainment industry to one of the world’s most misunderstood industry, direct sales.

I started from ground zero, studied the industry, learned from leaders, developed necessary skills, and overcame the biggest obstacle, myself. I had always perceived direct sales were meant for home keepers, housewives, and retired people. My attitude did not help. I was egoistic, self-centered, stubborn, emotional, and a very unfriendly individual. I never had many friends. My friends were celebrities and only people in the music circle whom I worked with.

Today I have friends of all ages and backgrounds everywhere, from professionals to factory workers to house keepers to students. Network marketing has changed me 180 degree into a better individual overall, personally, professionally, and given me the opportunity and freedom to plan and work for a better future for myself and my family.

With this in mind, it is my most sincere pleasure to share with anyone regardless of their age, race, religion, social status, background, with or without financial means who is interested to know more about the wonderful network marketing industry. I am not asking you to join me, but just simply understand more about the world’s most misunderstood industry. MLM is no more door to door sales. It’s about building organizations and assets. Even Donald Trump and Bill Gates endorse MLM, why should we be afraid of it. Lets not reject something that we do not understand. You will never know. It could be an option maybe not now but in the near future. You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. We can be friends after all can’t we?

I can be contacted at +6013 393 5005 or email at iman.wan@gmail.com