I have been here at Stream Energy and Ignite from the start: and I really cannot recall a time when it seemed that both of the Ignite and Stream Energy machines were humming along as smoothly the present. At every Business Presentation or group session that I attend, I encounter wave after wave of enthusiastic Igniters – a legion of Happy Warriors who understand the power of our business model and the opportunities that can be wielded as a result thereof.

It is no stretch of the imagination to say that the near-universal feedback that we have received from a legion of Igniters has been that Ignition 2013 was probably THE most well-orchestrated, informationally-rich and motivating corporate convocation in our history. Resultantly, the Ignite Army rocketed out of Dallas to seize the battlefields of our various service areas with a vengeance.

With new offerings such as the new Business Presentation, Ignite eSuite and Virtual Assistant, you now have the best business tools in the industry that you can use to explode your business. Here’s some of the things that I have been hearing:

• “One of my Associates simply pointed five prospects to the new online Business Presentation without being there to explain the material. But, after looking at this new video alone, each of these five prospects signed up as Ignite Associates. That’s the ultimate power of this new tool, Rob – your business can grow itself and YOU’RE NOT EVEN THERE!”
• “When I am prospecting a new Associate, without much explanation or trying to overcome any objections, I point them online to the new Your Best Friend’s Energy Company video. Every prospect that has taken the four minutes necessary to watch this production has immediately wanted to know more about Ignite and the opportunity. This new video is the best door-opener that you could ever imagine.”

So if you wonder as to why I am so pumped at present, that type of input should give you a flavor!

We are once again in the prime of our business effectiveness, Gang. Our energy rates are better than or competitive to the local incumbent in every service area in which we do business – and we will be expanding our reach in significant fashion throughout the Northeast over the coming months.

The Stream Energy/Ignite offensive is in full gear: and I see no reasons now foreseeable as to why our tremendous momentum should not continue to build throughout the remainder of this year. More importantly, the Ignite Opportunity has never made more sense. And there has frankly NEVER been a better time to be doing your Ignite business.

In closing:

LEAD,
FOLLOW,
OR
GET THE HECK OUTTA OUR WAY.

We’re on the move, People – and we ARE NOT slowing down. Do not allow yourself to get left behind!

I will see you on the Road during the rest of March and April!

It’s no secret among the Stream Energy employee family that I was a linebacker during my college playing years. But I have to confess that there is one aspect of the offensive side of the ball that I have a weakness for, and that’s the two-minute drill.

The two-minute drill: that time of the game when the offense has to make some pretty dramatic things happen in a short amount of time to win.

With the clock ticking down on 2012, Stream Energy is hitting its “two-minute drill” and we’re going for the win in a huge way. This is a historic time for us, as we’ve officially launched several service areas in the Northeast at the same time.

First, we rolled out natural gas service in the PECO area of Pennsylvania. This in itself is big news, as there are 453,000 eligible gas customers in the PECO footprint.

But to make sure we steamroll 2012 on our way to the end zone, we’re also exploding into the NYSEG and RG&E areas of New York. Together they combine for roughly 1.6 million potential new Stream Energy customer meters.

And we’re still not done, as we have the NatGrid service area of New York (with over 2 million eligible customer meters) hitting the field in mid-December.

As John Madden would say, “Boom!”

These areas represent enormous opportunities for growth for our firm and our Ignite Associates, and they come to life through the combined efforts of many of our team mates working together. I am so proud to be a part of this group.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: it’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.

Stream Energy is the parent company of Ignite, the world’s largest network marketer of energy. Together, they have generated $5 billion in total revenues in less than eight years.

The firm is a proud member of numerous associations and industry groups:

Better Business Bureau
Direct Selling Association
Retail Energy Supply Association
North Texas Commission
ERCOT Board of Directors
National Energy Marketers Association Executive Committee
Captain Hope’s Kids Board of Directors

In its brief history, the firm has been a multiple recipient of various awards and honors:

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year / Southwest Region Award
Platts Global Energy Awards
American Business Awards
Communicator Award of Distinction
Corporate Philanthropy Award / Philadelphia
Top Workplace – National Standard Designation
KEMA Executive Forum Speaker
Big D NYE Fireworks Sponsor
Dallas 100 Entrepreneur Award
Dallas Chamber Momentum Award
Genesys Customer Innovation Award

If you want to be successful, then you owe it to yourself to partner with the proven leader of relationship marketers of energy – Stream Energy and Ignite.

Clean Nation by Stream Energy is not yet available to participate in. However, Ignite Compliance is pleased to offer a a few tips to help you get started off on the right foot:

• Any advertising must be approved by Compliance PRIOR to posting and/or making public.
• Clean Nation advertising operates in the same manner as it does in Ignite: you may advertise for the Opportunity (REPs), but NOT for customers (RECs).
• Use catch phrases such as “Go Green and Make Green,” “Make Money and Help The Environment,” and “I Can Show You How To Make Money From Renewable Energy Certificates.”
• Associates can only SHARE, but not publish, the 4-minute Clean Nation video on YouTube. You may not use the video to advertise for RECs.
• Upon the launch of Clean Nation, every potential Renewable Energy Partner (REP) must have a valid Social Security Number to become a member.

Please Note: these tips are provided to help you spread the word about Clean Nation. The official Policies and Procedures for Clean Nation will be available on the launch date in August.

To have all your questions answered, please visit Ignite Compliance on Facebook or send an email to compliance@igniteinc.com.

Through Clean Nation by Stream Energy, you have a very simple and easy way to pitch in and clean things up for our kids and our future generations. This program provides you with the opportunity to help replace fossil fuel-based generation with clean renewable generation, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, preserve the environment for future generations, and create a better financial future for you and your family.

As a member of Clean Nation, you are signing up for a monthly subscription of just $19.95. In return, Stream Energy will issue you a Green-e® Energy certified renewable energy certificate (REC) each month. You will still receive an energy bill from your current supplier – but now you are offsetting your non-green electricity usage with a clean product that is 100% renewable and 100% domestic.

We’re not only helping promote a cleaner tomorrow for future generations, however; we’re also providing environmentally responsible individuals with financial incentives for carrying the banner of renewable energy.

Stream Energy compensates people for becoming Renewable Energy Partners (REPs) and encouraging their families and friends to support clean energy. Regardless of where they live or who their electricity provider is, customers residing in all 50 states may now purchase RECs from Stream Energy and get paid for gathering other REC customers.

So breathe easier; energy deliverance is at hand. Help clean up our nation, create income for your family, encourage energy independence and leave a better world for our children. It’s the power of clean living, thanks to Clean Nation – brought to you by your best friend’s energy company, Stream Energy.

When Stream Energy and Ignite launched in 2005, it was not only the beginning of an innovative energy company, but an opportunity to be a part of something truly unique.

As Stream Energy and Ignite grew in both size and maturity, the firm adopted certain “mantras” that shaped the internal culture. The mantras encompassed an overall feeling and attitude that the firm was not just a great company, but a great family.

Although the two entities had two different logos, they both represented one company and one team with one goal.

To help make that point, Senior Director of Marketing Darryl Smith had an idea: merge the family-like atmosphere of Stream Energy with the team aspect of football into a visual representation of the firm’s support of the thousands of Ignite Associates around the country.

“Stream Energy and Ignite are a team,” Darryl said. “Supporting our Ignite Associates in the field is something every Stream Energy employee does on a daily basis. We are a very competitive group, and we have great passion and love for this firm – the same passion and love that many have for their hometown sports teams.”

“I wanted to take a symbol of that love and passion of each of our states and bring it back to the home office,” Darryl said. “It’s a symbol that we are always thinking about our IAs in all these areas, and a little piece of them is always represented in our office.”

Stream Energy and Ignite’s history can be seen in a unique visual timeline along one wall inside Stream Energy’s corporate office.

Each jersey represents when Stream Energy and Ignite entered a certain state or area. Each jersey has a number on the back of it which represents when we entered that particular state:

• Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans – the founding of the firm in Texas in 2005.
• Atlanta Falcons – Stream Energy’s first expansion efforts reached Georgia in 2008.
• Philadelphia Eagles – the firm first entered the Pennsylvania market in the Philadelphia area in 2010.
• Pittsburgh Steelers – the firm expanded their Pennsylvania service to the Pittsburgh area in 2011.
• Baltimore Ravens – Stream Energy began offering service in Maryland also in 2011.

“As a lifelong, die-hard Cowboys fan, my office sits between the Eagles and the Steelers,” Darryl said smiling. “It’s not easy looking at those colors every day.”

Near the end of 2011, Stream Energy and Ignite expanded to a fifth state in the Northeast. To avoid confusion (and also because he just couldn’t bear hanging any blue and white jersey other than the Cowboys) Darryl decided to utilize a different sport to represent Stream Energy’s latest market.

•  New Jersey Devils – the entrance into Stream Energy’s fifth state in 2011.

But what comes after New Jersey? An empty spot resides next to New Jersey’s colors. We are anxiously awaiting a jersey to represent the loyal Associates in a brand new Stream Energy market.

“I don’t know what we’ll do if we ever go to Montana,” Darryl said jokingly.

The next jersey may be unknown, but what is certain is that Stream Energy and Ignite will continue to achieve huge long-term success as long as we work together as one team.

Last weekend, Ignite held its seventh annual Ignition convention. During each convention, Ignite delivers many great new programs to help Associates better their lives and their businesses. For this year’s event, Ignite witnessed a special surprise announcement that came as a first in the seven years the company has been hosting Ignition.

Presidential Director Brian Lucia emceed this year’s General Session on Saturday and periodically went into the audience to interview Associates who shared their life-changing stories with the thousands of other in attendance.

As the General Session cranked up after lunch, Lucia ventured back into the audience and introduced New Jersey Managing Director Patrick Franklin and Patrick’s girlfriend, Director Kristin Kane.

Patrick began sharing his story when Lucia smiled and asked: “Is there a defining moment that you’d like to share with us?”

Patrick smiled and replied, “Actually, I thought today would be a great time to make a defining moment.”

As Patrick turned to his girlfriend, excitement and anticipation made its way around the arena. Patrick knelt down in front of Kristin, and cheers and applause resonated throughout the arena. Lucia held a microphone for the heartfelt marriage proposal heard by roughly 7,500 witnesses. 

As the proposal ended and the new sparkles donned Kristin’s finger, Patrick hugged and kissed his new fiancée to the roar of the arena’s approval. Lucia then presented the newly-engaged couple with an envelope that contained a special gift on behalf of the Stream Energy executive management team. The couple was given a gift certificate for an elegant dinner at a location of their choosing upon arrival back home in New Jersey.

As an Ignition first, how could the moment get any sweeter?

A few days after the couple arrived home, Patrick sent an email to Senior Director of Field Development, Darryl Smith, expressing his gratitude for the assistance Ignite provided in the proposal. Patrick expressed his love of Ignite and said how proud he was to be a part of such a great family and company.

Patrick wrote: “Kristin and I realized that we would like to keep the gift going forward to help someone less fortunate and were wondering if you would instead make a donation to Captain Hope’s Kids on our behalf.”

(Captain Hope’s Kids has been on hand at Ignition the past two years, and Stream Energy and its Ignite Associates have donated thousands of dollars to help support Dallas-area homeless children. For 2012, the company is donating $5,000.)

To honor the couple’s generosity, Stream Energy donated an additional $200 to Captain Hope’s Kids on behalf of Patrick Franklin and Kristin Kane. With the additional donations made by other Associates at Ignition, the charity will receive a total of $6,458.

This year’s Ignition was geared towards helping Associates turn their lives around financially and bettering their families’ futures. Thanks to the generosity of the Associates in attendance at Ignition 2012, thousands of homeless children in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex can look forward to a brighter future.

The generous spirit of the Ignite family is seen in our business on a daily basis during business meetings and presentations; from Presidential Directors to new recruits. And thanks to Patrick and Kristin, it can be found during even the most personal and memorable of life experiences.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO HELP THE HOMELESS CHILDREN OF NORTH TEXAS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

About eight years ago, a small group of people led by Rob Snyder and Pierre Koshakji put into action a ground-breaking business plan. The idea was to adopt a multi-level network marketing approach similar to those used by extremely successful direct-selling companies like Avon and Mary Kay, and apply that strategy to the recently deregulated energy market in Texas.

As details began to take shape, new investors committed to the idea; a PUC license was obtained; and a small amount of office space was leased in one of the most recognizable buildings in Dallas – the INFOMART. As a basic framework became operational, Stream Energy and Ignite were born.

In the more than seven years since Stream Energy was awarded a PUC license to operate in the state of Texas, Stream Energy has grown to over half a million customers in five states (Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey), employed hundreds of exceptional people at the headquarters in Dallas, and allowed thousands of Independent Associates the opportunity to seize control of their financial future and build relationships that can last a lifetime.

Along this journey, Rob, along with the executive staff and more than 260 Stream Energy employees, has been graciously thanked countless times by IAs who appreciate the vision, dedication and commitment to the plan first conceived in 2004.

While Stream Energy and Ignite have enjoyed record success in our short time, none of it could have been possible without the hard work and dedication of thousands who have worked to ensure our success.

The Stream Energy headquarters in Dallas employs more than 260 employees on a daily basis. When needed, these employees have worked weekends, overnight and incredibly long hours to ensure the success of Stream Energy and Ignite. They believe in this business—in helping people succeed. To the employees of Stream Energy: thank YOU.

Thousands of IAs bought into the idea of warm marketing and asking friends and family for their business. They have done so with such success that Stream Energy is in the record books as one of the fastest-growing companies in American business history. The success of this firm and the employment of over 260 Stream Energy employees would not have been possible without the hard work of our thousands of dedicated Associates. To the Ignite Independent Associates: thank YOU.

As most people know, the success or failure of a company hinges on its customers. Stream Energy and Ignite are in the business of helping our customers save money on one of life’s necessary commodities (energy) and doing it with a successful business model. With variety of different service providers offering energy service, customers in deregulated service areas are free to choose any service provider they like. To the loyal customers who continue to choose Stream Energy as their service provider of choice: thank YOU.

The hundreds of thousands of IAs who have joined us along the way, have attended at least one business presentation in a variety of venues to get more information on Ignite’s award-winning success model. Managers and owners of restaurants, hotels and motels have opened their doors to Ignite. Homeowners have opened their homes to new and prospective Associates. To all those who allowed the Ignite Opportunity and the Stream Energy story to be told: thank YOU.

There are countless people who have contributed in some form or fashion to the success of our business. To anyone who has contributed to this business; to anyone who has positively affected our firm; to everyone who remains loyal, committed and dedicated to the continued success of Stream Energy and Ignite: thank YOU.  

Although our achievements and successes are exciting, inspirational and motivational, Stream Energy and Ignite still have a lot of unfinished work. With over a half-million customers in five states, Stream Energy has proven it is a powerful and permanent force in the deregulated energy market.

What began as a simple business plan eight years ago has emerged into a business that has changed and bettered the lives of so many. With our spectacular team, Stream Energy is primed to continue our national expansion for a long time come.

Soon, we will have thousands of Ignite Associates visiting the Stream Energy offices when they are in town to take part in Ignition 2012.

While walking through our office space, they will see dozens of “golden balls” adorning employees’ work stations. If you are one of these visitors to our office, you may wonder what the “golden balls” are all about.

Actually, they are part of Stream Energy’s peer-to-peer employee recognition program. This program was created as part of our comprehensive strategy to ensure employees are valued and appreciated here at Stream Energy and that they are empowered to recognize their colleagues.

Named after the award which is presented to the best player at each FIFA World Cup soccer finals, the Stream Energy Golden Ball was created to give ALL employees the opportunity to recognize their fellow co-workers who go above and beyond the call of duty.

(You should know that our company has this fascination with soccer. Must have something to do with the fact that our chairman Rob Snyder is something of a legendary soccer nut. You’d think he played the game or something.)

When a fellow employee helps someone in a significant and meaningful way, employees are encouraged to handwrite a note of gratitude on the award. They then deliver the completed award to that employee being recognized so he or she can proudly display it at his or her workstation for all to see. Employees also inform the Golden Ball recipient’s manager so he or she is aware that the employee is being recognized.   

Be on the lookout for these awards when visiting the Stream Energy office, and when you spot one hanging in an employee’s work area, be sure to congratulate that person for delivering the Stream Difference.