"Alex has demonstrated tremendous leadership by winning this championship. As an International Director and Co-Founder, Alex has been involved with us for 6 years. To win a contest aimed at buidling NEW TEAM members, with an already large team, is quite an accomplishment!" - David A. Rutz, Founder and CEO

I have always wanted to own my own successful business. In hopes of achieving that goal, I started a lawn care company right out of high school. I quickly found out that it isn't all that it is cracked up to be. I ended up spending a lot money in start up costs and maintenance costs as well. I needed good employees and they were always very hard to find. Lastly, my business ended up being very seasonal and since I lived in Michigan ...what was I thinking? I couldn't survive on this business alone.

In 1991, my neighbor, out of all people, called me up to invite me to this "meeting" . I kept asking him "what is it?" and he just told me I have to see it. I trusted him enough to go to the meeting to hear about a business opportunity. I was shocked to hear about the benefits of network marketing. I couldn't believe I could own my own business without having all the overhead cost, employees, administration, liabilities, etc. and yet could enjoy residual income and the opportunity to help others start their own business and to be paid generously for it. This sounded so exciting to me that I have been involved in network marketing ever since. Thank God I was open enough to accept my neighbor's invitation to the meeting because that one phone call has changed the direction of my life.

Back in the early 1990's, because of this industry, I crossed paths with someone who would have a direct impact in my life and that person happens to be our company's Founder and CEO, David A. Rutz. Over the years we became the best of friends and ended up working together and had great success.

This is where my story becomes unique with Escape. I was in the right place at the right time and took advantage of an opportunity of a lifetime. I believed in David's vision so strongly that I decided to become one of his partners and also became the very first representative in the history of Escape International.

My WHY? WHY do I want to build this company?

As you can see, this is my beautiful wife Elizabeth and I. All I want to do is build a life for both of us that neither one of us dreamt could be possible. Because of Escape, we are able to do what we want and when we want.

I am extremely excited to win the National Championship for the 1st Quarter of 2008. I believe it is an honor and a privilege to be the National Champion for what it represents.

I would like to thank everyone involved who made this possible. You know who you are. This was truly a team effort. Lastly, I would also like to thank my wife for supporting me and being my biggest cheerleader. Without her support, this would not have been possible.

God Bless!

My name is Eric Johnson, I am 35 years old and am married with five children. In the summer of 05 when Jay Morton came to me with the Escape opportunity, I was very apprehensive. At the time I was working two full time jobs, and delivering pizzas on Fridays trying to make ends meet. Due to my strong friendship with Jay, I agreed to take a look at what he called "a potentially unbelievable opportunity". He showed me a phone that he said would cut my phone bill in half, and had the capabilities to stream video.

The thought of being able to see friends and family while you talk to them, and save money at the same time was an absolute no brainer. I wanted two. He then asked me if I could think of anyone else who would be interested in the same type of service. My answer to this was everyone.

It was at that point that he began to explain how I could turn that phone into a real business, generating a residual income that would free up some time, so I could begin to enjoy life a little more with my family. I told him it sounded great but as it was there wasn't enough hours in the week, and trying to add one more thing to my plate would have been insane. Jay promised me that if I put people in a room, he would handle the rest. So I did.

The first person I showed was my Dad. I have great respect for my Dads business sense and ability to see the big picture. When he told me he was in, it was go time. In the next year without hosting a meeting, without getting in front of a room, without missing any of my kids games or dances or birthday parties, I managed to grow a group over 2000 people, receive a car allowance, accumulate keyman stock (if and when Escape goes public), earn a monthly residual income that covered my house payment, and eliminate one of my full time jobs, and retire from the pizza delivery industry.

Since that time Ive seen some amazing things happen within our company. The company began to add more products, and launch great new divisions. It was so painfully obvious that this would allow Escape to offer customers and reps something that no other mlm company could touch. The best products, at the best prices, with the best compensation.

As i sat back and watched all the promises come to reality, I noticed that some reps within the company were losing focus. I'm talking about high ranking reps who at one time carried the flag for our company were starting to look at other opportunities. Meanwhile they were sitting on top of an opportunity that was paying them more than they could make anywhere else doing what they were doing. Some of those reps, my close friends, decided to walk away. I felt betrayed.

When word came down that this had happened, I knew it was time to get off my butt and do something. After sitting back and watching my group grow without to much effort on my part, the gloves were coming off. I sat down with my dad and we put a plan together. I started using the products. I Began sole sourcing Optimal and lost 85 lbs in three months. I looked great, I felt great, and was selling Optimal like it was gold. I used that success to get peoples attention and focused on building another new group, and make a strong run at the 07 fourth quarter National Championship. We got after it for three months, built a nice strong group and brought the title back to Phoenix.

For me it was a great accomplishment because it showed that even if you have been in the company for a ling time, its never to late to grow an old group, or start new ones. Not to mention the health benefits that have come along with re-engaging. To me the goals have become crystal clear. First, become the largest and most successful mlm company on the planet, which will ensure a lifestyle and freedom that I want for my family, and second to make those reps that came in with me, who were in the trenches in the beginning, who carried the flag for this company, and had my back when I had theirs, regret the day they decided to lose focus, and try another opportunity, when the ONLY opportunity was starring them right in the face.

John Costino has been involved in Network Marketing full time since 1991. He has conducted more than 600 live seminars training thousands of eager home business owners each month. His success training new business owners comes from his own personal experiences and success as a representative. John is a professional trainer who teaches you the skills and techniques required to succeed in your home based business.

During his career in MLM, John has built (2) separate organizations totaling more than 250,000 representatives. His organization generated monthly revenues of more than $4.5 million from his organization which allowed him to retire on the beach at the age of 28yrs old. John’s frustration with the industry reached an all time high in 2004 after realizing that most corporate management teams were only focused on their own profitability and didn’t care about the individuals who were creating those profits. He saw too many people get hurt from careless ownership.

He prepared for his career in the world of business having studied mathematics, psychology and marketing and then utilizing his very unique background to develop a complete training program that guarantees success for anyone who is willing to apply it. John has personally trained many of the top representatives of MLM companies such as Noni, Xango, Pre-Paid Legal, Burn Lounge, Oasis, Escape International, Visalus, ACN and 5LINX.

We asked Mr. Costino what the most important quality for success was and he answered loud and clear; “Commitment! I learned the importance of committing to success during my years competing as a professional triathlete. You don’t even get to participate in the race if you haven’t committed to the grueling training for months beforehand. Developing this business is no different…if you don’t commit to your success you won’t even last (30) days, let alone make money. Network marketing is a marathon NOT a sprint like most people think…that’s why most are in and out within (30) days…they never were taught how to prepare themselves and pace themselves to success.”

John took a corporate position as the Executive V.P. of Sales and Training for Escape International to help boost our representative growth and sales revenues. During his (3) years as our National Sales Trainer, company revenues grew by more than 400% in each of their next three years. Not only is our company profitable today, it is also listed as one of Inc 500’s fastest growing, privately held companies in America scheduled to go public. John developed such confidence in his partners on the management side that he resigned his corporate position in February of 2007 to go back into the field as a representative. He won the National Championship right out of the gate to prove that he wasn’t over the hill after a few years in his corporate role and that he still had a lot to teach those individuals who truly wanted success in their home based business. We asked John why he would be willing to go back into the field as a rep for Escape.

“We all have the same goal in this industry…acquire the most CUSTOMERS. The most effective and efficient way to do that is to develop the most REPRESENTATIVES. I have held the top position in 2 other companies and I can tell you that average people will work hard if you can show them value for their efforts…but they DON’T want to risk any of their time or effort in order to “give it a try”. My goal here with Escape International is to reach $10 million/month in revenues and the only way that can be possible is to allow EVERY SINGLE PERSON the chance to start their own business and SUCCEED without any financial risk”!

My introduction to Escape International came in October of 2005 while visiting my son and his family in Arizona. My granddaughter was just 14 months old. The Video Phone was introduced to me & I saw an end to my frustration. Over the past several months I had spent an inordinate amount of time flying back & forth from San Diego to Arizona to see this precious baby girl. The first 2-3 days where spent with Gracie getting to know me AGAIN the next 2 being comfortable with me & then I would leave only to return 6 weeks later and start over again. The video phone was an answer to my prayers.

I could now see her every day and she would always recognize me therefore eliminate the getting to know me period. I was very excited.

My son asked me to take a look at the “business opportunity” to which I replied, “I have absolutely no interest”. I was the 2nd owner of a 77 year old company & my plate was quite full. Network Marketing??? NEVER. I stated I had already supported him with the purchase of the Video Phone & would be happy to support his new venture wherever I could. I had no interest in becoming a part of it. Well as you may have guessed he wore me down and asked if I would attend a PBR (private business reception). He said he just wanted to see what my opinion would be once I heard exactly what this was about. He wanted to make sure he would not be making a mistake by joining. As a parent, who always wants the best for her children, reluctantly I agreed.

Mr. Costino did a very through job in describing the opportunity and the several different product lines Escape was marketing. I listened, took copious notes and asked a few questions. That evening I returned home as planned, and spoke with my husband. I relayed what I had heard. I stated that I valued his opinion and I thought there just might be something to this Escape Business. Neither of us had ever been involved in Network Marketing prior to this. Four days later we were on a plane back to Arizona where we attended our first National Convention at Carefree.

We did not begin to build immediately however, I tried the Optimal liked it and began consuming and ordering this product monthly. As I had time I would tell people about the products but I was not putting much effort into it. I already had a full time job. In July 2006 my son talked us into attending the National Conference in Baltimore. It was at that Conference that I looked to my husband and said “we can do this.” We began to attend online training, follow the system and we began to grow. The excitement was contagious. 3rd quarter of 2006 I finished in the final four competing for the National Championship. The 1st quarter of 2007 it was my honor to win that National Championship.  Through the combined efforts of me and Team San Diego we succeeded. It took diligence and a lot of hard work.

About a year and a half after I had joined Escape International my daughter-in-law asked me to look in the back office to see a chart where my name appeared. The accumulation of this “Optimal key man stock” was a benefit I had no knowledge of. Neither of us knew what I had done to deserve this. We really were out here by ourselves. I had no idea I was earning anything extra. I never questioned it nor did I expect it. I purchased the product not because of the incentive but, because of Optimals role in my improved health and stamina.

July 31st 2007 we sold our business and are now concentrating our efforts on expanding our Escape Business. In my opinion, we have the best products on the planet and if we do not loose sight of this we can all become successful. By presenting them with confidence, they will sell themselves.

I admit at times it is difficult to step out of our comfort zones but with a little practice & determination anyone can do this. If you become a product of our products, keep your exposures enthusiastic and simple, utilize 3 ways calls with corporate leaders and hold PBR’s in your area you also will meet with success.

Winning Escapes National Championship for the 3rd quarter of 2005 was my personal triumph of “faith over folly”. You see, in October of 2004 I had sold my business and was finally enjoying that long delayed time exclusively with my wife and our children. Life was really good and I had no intention of going back to work any time soon. That was when a good friend of mine asked me to do him a favor and look at a Video Phone Company. “Multi-Level Marketing” is what he said. I politely said no….. several times. A few weeks later my friend told me that the owners of Escape were coming to Phoenix.  He asked if I would be willing to meet with them PRIVATELY, at his home.

As a favor to a friend and with zero intention of joining anything, I agreed. I arrived to find 15 other cars parked out front. Before I could speed away my smiling dear friend escorted me in. I knew I had been tricked but, sometimes for a friend you do these things. Inside I recognized most everyone as successful local business owners. Jay Morton gave a compelling presentation. Next thing I knew we were huddled around this thing they were calling a Video Phone and was startled when Mr. Brad Tayles popped up on it. Well, you can imagine the excitement that erupted as he explained the business opportunity. As you know, Brad’s enthusiasm is legendary.

I skipped drinks with the guys in favor of quiet time by myself in the park. I just sat thinking. First, how had such an exciting opportunity fallen into my lap? Next I am asking “why am I thinking about starting another new business?” By the time I decided to visit Jay Morton at his home, it was 10:30PM. That very evening I looked Jay in the eye and said “Jay I am still not sure what I saw tonight, but if you are giving me the straight and narrow on this, “I can build it”. Jay just started laughing and then with a grin from ear to ear he explained Escapes business model.

In a couple of weeks I had earned the position of Regional Trainer. Mr. Tayles called to tell me I was qualified and entered into the National Championship contest. Now all I had to do was show this crazy Video Phone to everyone I knew or ran into. I used my “names list” and my team began to grow. I even flew up to Washington to show the Video Phone to my long time friends Bill and Sue Wilkinson. They became excited, joined and their Team also began to grow.  

After my National Championship in 2005 two more National Championships were won by representatives that I had personally sponsored. Bill and Sue Wilkinson followed me and in the 4th quarter of 2006 Pete and Jeri Dufresne won the title.

This is my opportunity to thank Escapes visionary founder, Mr. David Rutz. His marketing concept offers real savings with great value for anyone and gives Independent Representatives a compensation plan that no other MLM Company has ever matched.