Distribution Partners - Organo Global Holdings

Wendy Abel’s Success Story: From Side Hustle to Emerald Rank

Wendy Abel’s story with ORGANO is one of rapid growth, determination, and a shift in mindset. Starting in December 2019, Wendy joined the company to supplement her family’s income through retail sales. Little did she know that this side hustle would soon become her main focus, catapulting her into the leadership ranks within OG. Today, she stands proud as an Emerald Distribution Partner, one of the fastest to achieve this prestigious rank in Africa, even during the pandemic.

A Story Rooted in Purpose

Wendy’s initial motivation to join ORGANO was purely financial. “Our children are both very sporting and artistic,” Wendy shares. Their extracurricular activities came with premium fees, and OG offered a way to bridge that financial gap. Like many, she started small, but the unexpected catalyst came in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March to September 2020, Wendy’s business underwent a record-breaking transformation. “I went from Sapphire in May 2020 to Emerald in September 2020,” she recalls. This marked the fastest Emerald ranking in Africa during the height of the pandemic — a testament to her grit and adaptability in challenging circumstances.

She credits much of her early success to embracing digital marketing. When physical events were impossible due to lockdowns, she leveraged social media and virtual platforms like Zoom to stay connected and keep growing her business. “The best way to do marketing in this profession is to hold live events,” Wendy explains, but adapting to online tools was necessary during this time. Weekly Zoom meetings for business presentations became the norm. Wendy and her team continue to thrive in the digital space.

However, as restrictions eased, she quickly realized the irreplaceable power of in-person events. “We moved away from digital marketing as the dominant tool and focused on live, in- person events,” Wendy says. Hosting these events as a couple along with her husband allowed her to engage, inform, and entertain audiences, which led to exponential growth.

A Hands-On Leader

Wendy’s leadership style is deeply personal and immersive. “It is very time-consuming for sure,” she admits, “but this is the price of success.” Her days often run 12-15 hours as she makes herself available to her team, always with the goal of replication in mind. “Success demands replication,” Wendy says, highlighting the importance of duplicating her successful methods in others.

But Wendy is selective about where she invests her energy. She believes in focusing on team members who can lead from the front, who share her drive and determination. At the same time, she emphasizes the need to mentor those who may have a quieter approach but are just as committed to success. “You also have to look out for the silent hard worker,” she notes, recognizing that different personalities require different mentorship styles.

But her growth mindset isn’t just about her success. Her vision for the future of ORGANO is bold and ambitious. “We’re making OG a household name,” she declares. Wendy believes that Africa, particularly her home country of South Africa, is ready to lead in the OG space, and she’s committed to taking her team along that path. The next target? Diamond rank. Her strategic focus on live events continues to pay off, with each event bringing new leaders into the fold. “By the end of the event, they’re already sold and can’t wait to sign up!” Her approach has been instrumental in her team’s tremendous growth, helping new leaders emerge and build their own success stories.

Looking back, Wendy is proud of what she and her team have accomplished. “I like that we’ve been recognized by senior executives as having done something significant in the company,” she says. But her greatest pride comes from seeing how many lives she’s been able to impact, helping people elevate their economic and personal wellness. For those aspiring to reach the top ranks of ORGANO Wendy has straightforward advice: “Get rid of the idea of immediate passive income. There is no such thing! Everything worth having takes hard work and effort. Be ready to learn and grind!” With her feet firmly planted in her faith and a no-nonsense attitude, Wendy’s approach is as inspiring as it is practical. Success, she believes, is about putting in the work—and she’s not shy about leading by example.