Why you should quit being a liar!

Does my blog post title seem harsh? Yes, I'm pointing at you!  I just have a few bones to pick with you!

Are you one of those prospectors that say any of these things:

* The products sell themselves!

*You don't have to be a salesperson to sell this product!

*When  you have a great sponsor, you will have great success!

Ok. I'm trying not to hyperventilate here. I see these 3 statements every single day from people trying to build their team via social media. I do not believe a single one of them, has a large, motivated, successful team. Why? Let's look into that.

I'm not here to judge you, because honestly, when I was new to my business- I used the same tactics. I did not have great success with this. And now, after a few years, lots of tears and a lot of dedicated time to learning about what it is, exactly, that I'm doing here- I can honestly say- things are going in a whole new, positive direction for me.

Let's tackle each of these statements, one at a time. "The products sell themselves! It's so easy!"
 - You have immediately just set your potential teammate up for immediate frustration and ultimate failure.  Products do not sell themselves. I have never once seen a tube of lipstick stand up and apply itself to a pair of lips and say, "Wow! You look great! Buy me!" If products sold themselves, we wouldn't need distributors and consultants to promote them. It does take work, you have to get off your couch and show people the products. Wear them, share them, sell them.  They do NOT unpack themselves out of their starter kits and walk around your neighborhood.

"You don't have to be a salesperson to sell this product!"
- Again, you've just set your future teammate up for major disappointment. If you are in sales, you must acquire the skills it takes to be a salesperson. Everything we do in life is a "sale".  You must present yourself in a manner that is professional and trustworthy. You must have honest moments, and be ready to "sell" what you are offering.  Whether its your opportunity, or your product- you need to know your target market- and give them the value they are seeking.  You may not need to be a salesperson from the start, but you MUST be willing to learn to be one. You must seek teachable recruits, and seek those who are willing to teach what they learn. Skills are learned- and passed on. You will not make great progress with talent- you must gain, use and pass on skills.

"You need a great sponsor to have great success."
- This simply isn't true. Your success depends solely upon YOU. You determine your failure or success. Your sponsor cannot sell your products. Your sponsor cannot make your phone calls. Your sponsor will not hand you teammates. Your sponsor can only teach you what you do or do not want to be. If your sponsor is terrible, you know exactly what you don't want to be for your team. If your sponsor is awesome, you know exactly what you can learn, and pass on. It's up to you to seek out education about your business, to obtain knowledge about your industry, and to apply it to your business. No one can do that for you. You must become your own expert.

Are you All In?

Each of us is a star
Sometimes we shine with the rest
Sometimes we twinkle alone
And sometimes, when we least expect it, we make someone's dream come true. 
~Unknown 

Get All In

I recently read a story about a well known athlete, who started a business venture.

As an athlete, she was very successful. Very Famous. Very popular. If I said her name, you'd know exactly who she is. But, this is not about that. 

She wanted more out of life,  so she started something- a business. She invested the absolute minimum required to get going. The minimum monetary requirement, the minimum training...

She would have small success here and there, but, she really wasn't getting the results she really wanted. So, one day, she called her mom to vent about it.  Her mom changed her whole perspective with one big question......

"ARE YOU ALL IN?" 

She realized that she had in fact, not been "all in". She wasn't doing all she could to go big. She took a whole new approach and invested in her business, and in herself. And, she finally got big results.

So, how are you doing? Are you getting results you want? Are you ALL IN?

Here are some ideas to go all in:

Believe in yourself. If you don't believe in you, how can anyone else believe in you? Believe in your business, your product, your company. Duplicate what is working for the leaders above you.

Attend training's. If your company provides training and conventions- GO to them! They are made with YOU in mind...and designed to propel you into success!

Listen to calls. Whatever team  you are on, whatever phone conferences you can find- get on them. You can ALWAYS learn something new.

Invest in your business. If you have a product, invest in getting it. It can be hard, especially when you are new- but, it will be WORTH IT. 

Invest in yourself. Find and read books about your industry. It's not so much a monetary investment, go to the library- but spend the time it takes to read it and absorb it. It will change how you operate! 

Invest interest in others. Don't make it all about you and your bottom line. Listen to what others want and need out of life- then make it all about them!  You will double your success this way!

Make your business a daily adventure. Do something every day that benefits your business. People should never walk away from talking with you wondering what you do for a living. Eat it, breathe it, BE IT.  

There are two motivating forces: Fear and Love
When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people wo embrace life. ~Unknown 

GET ALL IN! I believe in you! You can DO THIS!  

Baby steps, keep moving!

Who's working this weekend? I tried and tried to get this weekend booked with something and kept hitting obstacles! I hope it's because I'm going to have a baby! lol
I just want to take a minute to talk a little bit about stepping out of your comfort zone. Now, this is something leaders ALWAYS tell you, that you need to do. But, do you need to LEAP out of it? No. Baby steps! One of the most effective and productive ways to grow your business is to build relationships with people- and that starts with trust.
So, how do you build a relationship? How does it start?
The easiest thing to do is simply find something to compliment someone on. Say, "I like your necklace!"
This is going to start a conversation- when they say thank you, ask them- "Is it Paparazzi?"
If they say yes, say- "I thought so! I just started selling it, and just LOVE it!"
If they say no, this is your opportunity! Share it with them!
If they don't want to engage in conversation, no harm, no foul- you might have made their day simply by giving them a compliment.

Maybe that person will remember you the next time you run into them at the store, and approach you this time. Start building those relationships.

Some people have built a very successful business by using social media. But let me tell you this, it's a lot harder to build a relationship with someone you haven't met face to face. Most of my team is built on personal relationships. How many of you were my hostess before joining? How many knew me before I started selling? See how that works? You knew me, trusted me....

Your comfort zone is ok to start in...but don't be afraid of those baby steps on your way out. Always move forward. I challenge you this weekend, as you are running errands or doing your normal activities, to just pay someone a compliment. Test the waters. If nothing happens, that's ok- it was good practice! Keep doing it, and you will find results! Make it all about them! Offer value and interest in who THEY are!

I hope to hear some positive stories come out of this!

Didn't make your sales quota? You lose!

It's about that time of month when I start seeing tons of people freak out about not meeting their sales quota's for the month, and start begging for sales. This has become quite the humorous show to watch. 

I sit here and wonder.... Why on earth are you in a business that will punish you if you don't make a sales quota. Life often gets in the way, and if you were truly in business for YOURSELF, you'd not have to worry about making hundreds and thousands of dollars in sales each month if it's not reasonable for you to do so. 

Also, why are you continuing in this business if, each month you have to beg everyone to help you. If your business had a product that produces genuine sales and income for you, you wouldn't have to beg to make it happen. Are your products too expensive for your target market? 

And, if you had worked all month long, and tried to hit your quota in the first 2 weeks of the month, you'd have significantly more success and less stress all month long. Are you dedicating enough time to your business every day? 

If this sounds like you right now, it's time to re-think your business and your plan. If you want a better way- let's talk about this and find a solution. 

Today, I'm living with #nostress, because- I work for myself, have no quota's to worry about, my product price point is $5 and that means I appeal to a large target market from doctors and lawyers to stay at home mom's and the grocery store clerk, and I have dedicated time every single day to my business, making goals to talk to new people each day, and further my reach beyond my comfort zone. I have found a better way- and, it's working!

Overwhelmed? Don't stress!

I know a consultant who is about to lose her consultant status, simply because she became overwhelmed with her business, and did not reach out to get help.  My heart aches for her, because I know she loves her business and wants to do well at it.

Have you ever felt like, you can't keep up in the race? That the demands of direct sales are  too high? Too competitive? Or simply, just too hard to comprehend? I want to let you know, that- you do NOT have to keep up with everyone else. Think about why you joined the company, what did you love about it? What intrigued you, inspired you?  Let's go back to that. Let's keep that in mind daily.  It's absolutely OKAY not to make a million dollars in direct sales. It's okay, if you just want to make a little cash, or even no cash. I'm going to give you a situation based on the company I am in, on how to make a little profit, without carrying a large inventory and getting completely overwhelmed.

We are going to start with our $299 starter kit, which has 120 pieces of sell-able inventory. Let's say, you just love doing this business, you've maybe hosted several successful parties and wanted in on the action, to get a little extra spending cash for yourself. Maybe, you just want to keep you're cell phone on each month, or pay one bill, or treat your honey to a date night.  So the goal here is not to sell out your entire inventory, but rather, maintain it and make a profit, right?

So, you invest in your business with a kit, and get yourself 120 pieces. The next week, you learn about a program that will automatically withdraw funds, and ship you 25 pieces (and two free pieces) of inventory each month. These are super cool items, that will automatically keep you active each month for commissions (in case you accidentally build a team), and in turn will keep your consultant status free from jeopardy each year. You realize this is a fantastic deal, and will be worth the investment each month, and you sign up for this amazing offer.

So here is your goal: Sell 27 pieces in the first 18 days of each month. On the 20th, your new 27 pieces of inventory will be billed to you and shipped. So, here's the deal, how are you making money?

In reality, based on your 45% profit margin, you only need to sell around 18 pieces to cover the cost of the new 27 you will get. When you sell 18 pieces, put that money into your business account, and leave it alone. The last 9 you sell, will be your profit. ($5 price point) Around, $45 a month.

$45 a month will pay for these things based on where I live:
My cell phone
2 months of water bills
Car Insurance each month
Garbage and Water bill each month
A night out with my family, dinner included
A mani/pedi
3/4 of a tank of gas
A weeks worth of groceries for 2 people
A new haircut, and lunch with a friend

Now wait a minute, you can get even more profit with this deal, with just a little more effort, and absolutely zero investment. 20 of the 25 pieces you just got in your monthly shipment, will be available to order online for your customers, after the 1st of the following month. So, say you take your pieces to work with you, and sell them. You have pictures of your items you just sold, that you can show off like a catalog all month long, if you show them off to your friends, and family and co-workers and encourage them to order online, you will begin to get a regular commission check! That is even more profit for you!  In the video below, I briefly talk about how to make your Fashion Fix into a "catalog" type book.

You will be able to maintain your 120 pieces of inventory, and be able to rotate pieces out every month, keeping your stress level at a minimum and your profits, while not in the millions, very useful!

I would recommend, to get a cute bag, and carry your inventory with you always. If you sell more than 27 pieces, that's fantastic! You will be able to place an additional order, to replace those sold pieces.

If you are very busy, and don't find that you have time for parties and events, this method will work wonders for you. It's a little extra cash, without the expense of big displays, event fees or the cost of building a large inventory. But, you can clearly see the benefit of this!

If you do want to build your inventory, you could simply do this, slowly and diligently- by simply promoting the online sales, and using that profit to purchase additional inventory each month, rather than an extra profit. You can do this as many or as few times as you are comfortable with.

If you have found this article helpful, please share it with your friends!

Congrats! You just built a team!

Congrats! You have just added your first team member under you! How very exciting! Let's explore what this means and does NOT mean!

First of all, it does not mean that you now have reliable residual income. You did not just secure your future. You need to now duplicate what you just did, over and over and over again- for a long time!

You just promoted yourself into a leadership roll. This means you are responsible for teaching your team all the things you learn, and being open to learn new things from them! You are now their parent and yes, you will have to hold their hand!

Welcome to the new world of leadership. You will quickly realize, that you need to lead by example. Be duplicate-able. You will still make mistakes. You will still need to look to your up line, and other leaders in the industry, and continue to learn every day! Then, find out how to pass that on to your team. And then, teach them how to learn and teach their teams as well! All while still doing what you just did to get your very first teammate! Seem overwhelming?

You will definitely have moments of overwhelming feelings. You will get tired, you will get scared- you will still need to move out of your comfort zones. Maybe there are fears you will need to conquer. But, you can do it!

I was scared to get on a conference call and talk to potentially hundreds of people! But, when one of my leaders asked me to share my story- I took the time to write out my story and practice it out loud a hundred times. When it came time for the call, I called in- and, soon they were introducing me. I then had the most embarrassing moment of my career. I could not un-mute myself, and missed my chance to talk!  They quickly moved on to the next person. I was mortified. I swore that night, I would never go on another call.

Nearly a year later, my team was growing. And, it came time that I needed to provide training to my team, and I knew, I needed to be the  leader and do the calls. So, I did. I learned all I could about creating and talking on conference calls. I wrote down what I wanted to say, and I just DID IT. And you know what, it all worked out great. Am I a pro? Heaven's no! I still need a lot of work! But, I'm doing it. And, I know, I am capable!

No matter where you are in the leadership phase, whether just starting out or a well established big wig- you will always need to learn something new, apply it and teach it to those who look up to you. Do not let them down! You can do this!

Next step....getting up on stage....but, that's a topic for another day!

Basically, you just started- so, don't go broke!

This morning, I put this on one of our team pages- and was encouraged to also post it here. :)

We have lots and lots of new consultants! It's so very very exciting! I love this business more every day! I wake up just as excited to work as the day after I signed up! Every day is like Christmas- we come across so many new faces, new experiences and of course it's like accessory heaven when our beautiful pink boxes come! 
But, on my heart this morning, are the newest of the new. The brand new consultants! I just want to encourage you this morning! 
While excitement and joy are huge right now- you probably have that twinge of doubt, fear, overwhelmed feeling in your chest, a bit of "buyers remorse" as you sit in anticipation of your starter kit. You may be wondering just what to do now! If I can just offer up some thoughts...
If your sponsor has not contacted you, please- call her. Introduce yourself, and ask her all the questions you are having, express whatever feelings you have, joy, fear- anything. As sponsors, we care about you! 
You just spent a good deal of money on your starter kit. So now, you might be overwhelmed with the thought that you need all these fancy new displays and tables and and and OH MY! Take a breath darling- we are not in the fancy display business- it's perfectly OKAY not to have everything right now. Don't spend a lot of money on those things- over time, you can build up. Focus on your business, focus on meeting people and offering them the opportunity to experience Paparazzi. Get creative wit' yo' bad self and look around your home, and see what you might have. Look at everything like this: "How can I use this in my business?" I've included a picture from my first home setup. Believe it or not, I used paint rollers covered in a scarf that I cut up. I used an old laundry cart that fell apart.... A pink sand bucket.... and some other "junk". Upcycle! 
As you build your inventory up, and begin to get busier, your profits are going to grow as well. In that time, add something here and there. I didn't even buy pegboard for 2 months! 
Also, don't feel like events are the only way to go. Events are wonderful- don't get me wrong. Some of them will be amazing for you and you will walk away with a wad of cash you never would have expected. But, they cost money! It's very easy to become burnt out when you are constantly trying to put out money to make money. Paparazzi has so many ways to party- focus on the free ones first! Not only will you build a solid customer base, and a foundation for your business- but you will feel better, too. Events can be scheduled during a slow time or a time of growing beyond your comfort zone. A time when you need fresh leads- new eyes, and new adventures. Right now, everything to everyone is new! Plan your two launch parties and reach out to your friends and family (but don't rely on them only!), reach out to your neighbors, coworkers, church family... 
I highly recommend making a list of people you know- a resource list. Just write down names of everyone you know! Old classmates, past co-workers, etc etc.... and, contact them in some way. Via Facebook, a snail mail letter, a phone call....whatever works for you- reach out to them and tell them about your exciting new adventure. Don't be salesy, and don't be a creeper- just be excited about your life! 
Take time to read all about the business. Read through this group or other team pages you are on. Read the policies and procedures, read the corporate website. Look up training videos on youtube (Paparazzi Accessories has a youtube channel with a plethora of training and inspiring videos!)- learn ALL YOU CAN now- while you are waiting! Many many questions that new consultants have, can be answered within the policies and procedures- so while it may seem boring and tedious to do- it's well worth your effort! 
And finally, it's perfectly natural and normal to feel both excited and scared. This is a new thing. And we are ALL here for you! But, we won't know you need us unless you ask! We are your support group, your sisters and brothers, your teammates, your friends! We don't believe in competition, we believe in success- and everyone can have it! 
I hope you all have a great day! 

Keep it......Simple!

So, you just spent your entire life savings on a starter kit for your new business. You are feeling, buyers remorse, right? A lot of fear, doubt, uncertainty.... And NOW, your sponsor is telling you: You need to have all these fancy new displays and tools and  you have to have things just right, and oh yeah- go sign up for every single event you can get into- to get your name out there!

Ok, stop.
Take a breath.
Now, call your sponsor and tell her to calm down.

Listen to me. Keep it simple!  You do NOT need fancy displays, unless you joined a fancy display company- stop worrying about it. Your customers do not know what you "should" have for displays or even inventory. They do not know what it's "supposed to" look like. So, use what you've got on hand! You will be so surprised at how creative you can get with the things you have laying around your house.  Take a day, and just figure out what the basic needs are, and then make that happen!

Events. Let's just think about this. They cost money. They are long, and exhausting. You do NOT need events!  Events are for networking, and prospecting new people for home parties and teammates, NOT for making sales. If you go into an event with the mindset you are going to clear $500 every time- you are going to burn out and get frustrated and mad.  Save events for when things are slower, when you need new  and fresh leads on parties.

To get your name out there, do some free activities. Have a launch party at your house- or, in a local community center- or a friends house. Somewhere FREE.
Pick up the phone and call people.
Talk to everyone!
If you can, wear your product- if you can't wear it, bring samples with you everywhere!

Get out there and do some legwork, after all- it's a head start on that bikini body you've been wanting, right?

Also, lets talk about recruiting.  One of the fastest ways to get burnout, is by expecting too much in too short of time. You do NOT have to get to the top of the company in 30 days.  You can make a goal to hit the next rank in that time, but let's break it down into actionable steps.
Say, you want to add 3 people to your team in 30 days. You might actually get that done, given the excitement you have when you join- it's highly contagious. But, let's not give up and quit if they aren't quite lining up at your doorstep to jump on with you.

Everyone needs to read/hear/see something up to 7 times before they really "get it". So, keep following up with everyone. It takes approximately 90 days to cycle, so, work  you do today- could see a breakthrough in around 90 days...IF you continue to follow up!  And, if this is a new company or a new product in your area, and you are one of the first in your community..keep this in mind. It can take up to 2 years for a brand/company/product to become "familiar" or "branded" in an area. So, even if your company is 4 years old, if you are one of the few in your area, give yourself a 2 year goal to get it out there and get people familiar with it. You want people to associate that product with you in 2 years- because, you know who they will trust and call, right? YOU!

So, keep things simple. Don't try to have the biggest and best displays right off the bat, use what you have, and add a little bit here and a little bit there until you are comfortable. Don't spend money you don't have on things that aren't going to make you tons of money. Focus your efforts on money producing activities. Focus on relationship building and creating a solid base for your business. Learn all you can about your company, and how to run it smoothly so that when you do build up and grow- you can teach others how to do it, too.

5 Myths New Consultants Believe in Direct Sales

Myth #1: I am too fat/dumb/ugly/short/tall/skinny/quiet/shy or loud to be in direct sales.
         Fact: Everyone can be in direct sales, and YOU can do this! Success is not based on your outward appearance, it is found by believing in yourself and going after what you want. All those things listed above are excuses just holding you back. Be yourself, and work hard. Believe you can, and you will. All those cliche phrases out there, own them. Because, they are true. 

Myth #2: I have to do every single event in my area (or focus JUST on events) to get noticed and build a client base. 

         Fact: Events cost money, and honestly for most people, do not generate healthy sales. They are usually more for networking and generating leads. They really should only be done in your "spare" time, when you can afford the extra fees to do them. If you are just starting out, focus on meeting new people in your daily routines, and offering them an opportunity. Host a launch party, or a series of parties that will only cost you the time and effort of hanging up fliers, and handing out invitations. You will generate more word of mouth advertisement, more loyal customers and higher sales.

Myth #3: The top leader in the company ranked up 6 times in her first 3 months. So, that should be my goal, too. 

            Fact: Even those who do not rank quickly, can be leaders and successful. You can climb that ladder slowly and still be an amazing asset to your upline, the company and your family! Celebrate your successes big or small, and keep moving forward! The only person you need to be better than, is who you were yesterday! 

Myth #4: My friends and family will support me in whatever I do.
          Fact: Now this one is a tough one to swallow, because we love our friends and family. And, they probably love you, too (we hope!). But, they are going to be your dream killers! They will likely be the ones to laugh at you, tell you it's a scheme, you are going to fail or that "these things never work.". Do not rely on them to help you get your business going! They are your "comfort zone", so you need to get out of that space....and open yourself up to strangers. Teach yourself how to ask questions, like: Is that necklace from Paparazzi? or, Do I know you from somewhere? Was it Ashley's Paparazzi Party last Friday?  By asking questions like these, you will begin to have conversations and build relationships- and this will lead to more parties, and more team mates. 

Myth #5: My friend failed at this, so I probably wont go anywhere either. So, I just joined for the cheaper product prices. 

           Fact: You kind of just wanted to show your friend up. Let's face it, you wanted to save money, but you also thought you could make money. And, you CAN! Listen to your sponsor, or your team... duplicate what the leaders in your company are doing, and you will not fail! 

The Mountain is not your obstacle!

I recently saw a cute little pictures that said, "You never know what's around the next corner. You just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and before you know it- you look back and see you've climbed a mountain."

What an inspiring thought! But it got me thinking. It's easy to put one foot in front of the other. If you concentrate on one step at a time, any journey would be essentially effortless. It's the corners that are hard. The road has pebbles and patches of grass. In the winter there is ice. All of this is predictable.

What is not predictable, are the many challenges that live within the mountain itself. A bear, a mountain lion- could be right around the next bend. Perhaps there was a storm and the road washed out. Maybe a large tree fell across the road blocking your way, or there are falling rocks. The air gets thin, and hard to breathe. In the winter, there could be an avalanche. While we always have these thoughts in the back of our mind, we get caught in our comfort zone. Our, one step routine- so we are not prepared when we come around the corner and face a crisis.

A mountain climber knows that any of these things are possible at any moment. He simply does not start out on his journey unprepared. He will prepare for the worst and aim for the best! He will do research, he will train. He will spend months or maybe even years, preparing for this journey.

So what makes you think, you can just jump into a business and not prepare for an obstacle? You need a plan. You need to learn all about your company, the policies, and constantly prepare yourself for the next curve. Listen to the leaders- they've been there- they know how to get around it. Duplicate them.

The mountain isn't the problem, it's the bears and the lions, the rain and snow... and the trees and the rocks- be prepared for a sudden change, a sudden crisis. Prepare for it. Be ready. 

Investment vs. Rebate

It always amazes me that people will go drop $300 on an item at your favorite store, to get a $100 rebate! You'll go dig in the couch cushions to get every last dime to get that item that is oh so important, then fill out the receipt or paper they give you and mail it in (with your own stamp) and wait 6-8 weeks for your money back. In the mean time, you probably only use that item, twice? Maybe it already broke! But, by golly- you got a great deal! Right?

But, you sit at home fretting about how to live paycheck to paycheck. You are given an opportunity for $300 that will guarantee a PROFIT on investment, not just a rebate. And you sit there with a million excuses why you don't have the money for it. You don't dig in your couch. You don't sell off the junk cluttering up your home. You don't quit buying your five dollar coffee every morning, you don't quit buying your mountain dew and snickers every afternoon, and you don't quit going out to the bars every weekend. You just keep on spinning in your cycle of paycheck to paycheck and you are miserable. Why? Why do people do this?

This is my thinking.  You can jump on rebate after rebate to "save money" on great deals, and continue living the way you are. Maybe you are happy. Maybe this works for you. I can probably safely say, you aren't happy. It doesn't work for you.

OR- you can invest in an opportunity that guarantee's profit! Invest $300 into a business that you can work for yourself, sell the products inside that opportunity for not just $300, but instead for $500 and walk away with MORE money than you put in! Doesn't that sound smart?  If you had the money, which would you choose? I'd rather have $200 more, not $200 less!

Profit will come with work, you can't just jump on the opportunity and then let the box of hope sit in your living room or closet and expect it to work. If you want change, REAL change in your life, you are going to have to work for it. Invest some time, invest some energy, invest some money- and see the rewards come in ten-fold!

I got tired of chasing rebates. Sometimes, they never even came! Then, I just smacked myself for falling for a no guaranty deal.  It's an exhausting life. Filled with let downs, self pity and despair.

I am so glad I jumped on an opportunity to invest, and have seen the profits come in ten-fold! Our family, while maybe not rich in terms of banking, is blessed beyond measure. My kids have happier parents. They are not starving, they have clothes and shoes and toys. We have all we need, and we get to do so much more with our lives! We can travel, we can spend more time together. So even beyond the monetary profit- we are rich beyond our wildest dreams!

If you are tired of chasing rebates, let's talk about a real opportunity!  I'm not going to lie. It will take time, this isn't a get rich quick thing. It's not a pyramid scheme. It's not a scam. It's a REAL business that can give you REAL profit and a long term, residual income  IF you are willing to work for it!  I want successful people on my success team- not rebate chasers! So, it's time to sit down and figure out what you REALLY want. :)

Being Consistent

In a direct sales/ network marketing / party plan business- there are so many options for parties, prospecting, doing business your own way- that sometimes we forget that we need consistency. What exactly am I talking about here?

In the company I am in, there are several ways to party. We can do home parties, online parties, basket parties, office parties, lunch parties, bridal showers, birthday parties- basically, if you can think it up, I can make a party out of it. How does this tie into consistency? If I don't consistently offer all of these options, people might notice I'm only trying to get them to host a specific type of party. They may take offense to that! They might see me as being picky or prejudice about them or their situations. I also need to be offering these options not only to everyone, but nearly DAILY! In person, online....everywhere I go!

Let's talk about consistency in prospecting. Again, create a daily routine with this. If you have business hours, use them for business. Be consistent in your efforts. And also, be consistent in the information you give out. Answer questions, but in initial contact, be consistent with your information. You should have what business people like to call the "30 second commercial". Also, don't be afraid to share your WHY. Why are you in business? What drives you to keep going?

Now, let's dig a little deeper. This is your business. This is a party for your customers, but this is business for you. So you need to lay down some ground rules. You need to set up a return policy, a refund policy, and a reward policy. And be consistent with it. If you constantly bend the rules, your customers (and teammates, too!) will walk all over you! Be the business owner you wish you could work for every day, but also be the business that you want to shop in every day! Your customers are freebie hungry. They know you give free stuff out, and they will sucker you into something every time, IF they know you will bend the rules to avoid a confrontation. The old phrase, "the customer is always right"- is hogwash. You can't drive your business into the ground to please every customer. Sometimes, you just gotta say NO! Stick to your guns!

So to recap, create a routine, or a schedule and stick to it. Create policies and rules and stick to them. You don't have to be rude or harsh with people, but you do need to create a professional and clean system. If you have policies and rules about your business, make sure they are clearly posted somewhere. It's always better to share a link along with an excerpt from it with a feisty customer than it is to just ramble something off they think you are making up. So get them typed up, and posted somewhere. Then, stick to it!

Don't forget your why! Surely when you forget your why, what drives you....your passion begins to fall apart. You will burn out, and become emotionally, and physically drained. Review your why every month, because humans change. You may have had a life change, or changed your goals. This can affect your business in so many ways!

Have a beautiful day!

Spam doesn't work!

Big news on the networking front...SPAM DOESN'T WORK!

When I joined my company, advertising on Facebook was kind of a new thing. People were looking for new ways to advertise what they have without paying the cost of ads. So, up sprang all of these buy sell trade Facebook groups. Within these groups, people realized, hey- I can post here, for free- and reach potentially tens of thousands of people a day. And, thus was born- Facebook spam.

Well, there are lots of ways to do this, you can buy an auto-poster that will post to hundreds of groups a day on your behalf. I call these- spambots. Robots programmed to spam the millions without emotion. Very impersonal. And, highly ignored.

Then there are those who copy and paste into hundreds of groups a day. While a tad more personal, since they are real people actually propelling carpal tunnel into their fingers and wrists, it's still spammy and really just a motion of selfishness. Join my team! It'll change your life! (And give you tons of medical issues down the road!)  

And then there are those who are just kind of mediocre at it, they'll post locally and just throw a few pictures up, or comment on posts from those seeking out employment. A lot more relational, and personal. But, still- spammy, since ALL you are doing is prospecting- not REALLY offering something of value. 

I'm not arguing that NO ONE ever sees results like this, a top leader in MY company got there by doing one of these things. She was essentially the first in our company to try it and she put in countless hours doing it. Was it worth it for her? Absolutely. But now, everyone is doing it- so it's getting pretty annoying and overwhelming.

I'm also not saying you wont find my name out there "spamming". I am one of those mediocre types, I'll throw it out there a few times, but in my local area, I focus more on building my client base and offering my services as a local business. It's not to say, I don't prospect, because, I do that too. I've seen a few small rewards from my efforts, but not enough to invest in a spambot.

What I have seen more success in, is relationship building. Offering value, and the opportunity to change lives, for real. See, when you shift your focus from JOIN MY TEAM and MAKE ME MONEY, to....I can really help you with my product, or I can really help you get out of this tough situation- you will see more success. You need to be real with people, be yourself. It might take you a little longer to get where your going, but you will have a more focused, more dedicated team. And, in the long term, residual view- that is way more important.

Team Pink Boutique- Paparazzi Accessories Commercial

I thought I killed it!

So this past week, I've been fairly observant of things. Like, I noticed that my house is a complete disaster. So now my pregnancy hormones are in overdrive telling me I have to clean, clean, clean! But, something else happened and it got me thinking.......

So, I was straightening up my office and in my windowsill, I had this dead plant. I kept this plant alive for about a year in my office at my "normal" job. When I lost my job, I brought this plant home and immediately, it became a tragedy. I thought for certain, I killed it.

This plant, has been sitting in my window for a good 2 months now, no water, too much sun... and even uprooted by my 2 year old. I thought it was dead.

But, as I was cleaning I noticed something. Something in my window. It was........green. How could this be? I have neglected this plant for 2 months. It's been abused and tortured....left in the sun to shrivel up and die.

I began to take away the dead leaves, and low and behold the plant had re-rooted itself in the dirt. Very delicately, it had found a way to survive. There were all kinds of little tiny leaves in my pot, and they were green. So immediately- I began to nurture the plant. I tucked it back into the soil, gave it a drink and set it back in my window sill.

Well, it's been a few days, and I checked on my plant. I kind of tugged on the biggest part, and guess what. It was firmly planted in the soil. The leaves are a little greener, and a little plumper. It's ......growing!

What is my conclusion from all of this amazingly unusual turn of events?

Basically, sometimes we burn out. Sometimes, we appear to be dead. We get exhausted. Tired. We just fizzle. But, sometimes, sometimes if people just leave us alone, we begin to heal ourselves. We take root of what we have left deep down in our hearts- and begin to shed away the dead parts, and just barely hang on to the life we love.

And then, when it's the right time... someone comes along and sees we are still there- hanging on....still alive. And they begin to feed us, nurture us and care for us. It's at this moment, that we realize we never really died, we just needed a break. We just needed a little time out. Some...alone time. But now....now we are ready to spring back into life- to grab root of our hopes and dreams and begin to grow and reach our destiny! Sometimes, we just need someone to help us trim away the dead spots. So we can focus on the new things.

Where are you at in your business? Does it feel like your burning out? Maybe it's time to take a little rest. Soon, soon someone will be along to help bring you back to life! Don't give up. NEVER give up... there is still hope!

From this old rotten, dead stump, springs a new tree- new life.

When it hurts, it's time to bloom!

I saw this picture this morning and it really got me thinking about being in direct sales. From the time we are someone's "prospect" to the time we are calling it a lifetime of success. We are in a constant bud to bloom status.

You see, we were once seeds (someone's prospect). They cared for us, nurtured us, watered and fed us. They gave us all the things we needed to grow and begin to bud. And then, an amazing thing happened- we begin to become too big for our surroundings. We either break out and bloom, because it's too painful to stay where we are, or we shrivel up and die.

Some people are annual plants. They take on a lifecycle, are fed and nurtured and grow through the year, bloom and then pass away. Much like when the business cycle begins to slow down and hit a cold spot, you just shrivel up and move on, thinking- this is it, this is what I came for. I did good, and had a beautiful run- but, it's over now. This is ok. Some people were made to be this way. It's not an ugly thing, it's a natural way. We need these short bursts of life, to help us learn things and enjoy some beautiful moments. They serve a purpose. This is good.

Some people are biennials. They live sort of a dull first year, moving slowly along growing and being nurtured and fed and sort of taking it easy. Then, they have a burst of beauty in their second year- where they bloom and have great success. Then, it just gets sort of burnt out, and dies. This isn't a bad thing. It's ok. We need these sort of people, too. They help us remember to be patient, our time is coming. Be consistent, persistent and stay determined, there will be a bolt of greatness coming, if you can just hang on through the tough times, and bloom in the spring. They too, serve a purpose. This is good.

And some people are perennials. This is a lifecycle that comes back year after year. They grow and are fed and nurtured, and survive the toughest of winters. They keep growing and living, and get these beautiful bursts of blooms each and every year. They survive many winters, many falls, many summers and springs. They bring joy and value to other lifecycles around them. They learn and grow and become survivors. You see, even though the green above the ground may become dead and ugly, the prospector keeps the ground moist, and gives nutrients to the roots. It cares for it's position in the earth, taking care not to mow over it, or build mansions on top of it. The prospector values the beauty it knows is coming, and continues to maintain a strong root system for that perennial. And, sure enough each year, it comes back just as strong and beautiful as before. Because the prospector knows, that he too, is a perennial. And the line of care, is strong and deep. There is a purpose, and this is good.

See, it takes a whole system of people to maintain a line of growth. There must be a well developed and well nurtured line of care. The earth must be fertile, the rains must come, some lives will come and go in short beautiful cycles, and some will come and stay a long while. All are necessary, and all are good. So don't get discouraged by a cold winter. Don't feel bad if you learn you are only an annual. And don't those in your line discourage you. They came for a reason, and they leave more beautiful than when they came. They leave a changed lifeform, ultimately feeding you and creating a stronger, more beautiful you. Take pride in who you are, and what you came to do. There is a reason, and it is good.

Take care of yourself, and take care of those around you. Serve selflessly, and your blessings will come ten-fold.

It's ok to grow slow, but- don't stop moving!

I'm sitting here today, reading about how frustrated others are in their business. They see the fast success of other people and wonder- why can I not get rich quick, too? I work just as hard, do the same things they do and sell the same products! I just don't get it. 

It's ok to not know the answers. In fact, it's ok if you don't grow fast and become an overnight success! It actually might be just the right thing for YOU. If you did grow fast, and experience quick success- there is nothing wrong with that either! Some people do, and can- and have done this- and experienced a lifetime of joy from it. But, it's not the "norm", and this blog is to let those of us who don't experience this, that it's okay! 

Each person runs business differently. We each have different personalities, different characteristics, methods and lifestyles. We all do it different. We are unique. And that is a good thing! It kind of goes with the whole concept of, "God doesn't give you more than you can handle". Had you exploded right out of the gate, would you have been prepared to lead a team? To take on all that inventory, or be able to lead meetings and conferences? Would you have the knowledge and experience to pass on to your new found success team? Chances are, you wouldn't have a clue what to do. 

It's ok to learn your business first, and grow later. In fact, change your way of thinking- be a fast learner, and a slow grower. Farmer's don't just plant seeds and get fully grown crops by morning. They study their profession, learn about the land and what it takes to grow successfully. They take the time to know what they are doing, and then put it to use. And when the time is right, they have a beautiful ripe field of success! 

Be thinking about the long term- grow slowly, but steadily. The results will be long-lasting and very rewarding. Work hard, be diligent, and keep your passion. Fast success often leads to fast burn-out! Take care of yourself, and just keep moving forward. Apply the new things you learn, and see the success come to you in small portions. Enjoy each one along the way, big or small. Take pride in what you accomplish- you EARNED the right to be proud of who you are!  

Don't give up. All the blood, sweat and tears are worth it. 

Get rid of that but!

Last night our company announced a huge chance to win a trip to Hawaii, at our annual convention in August! Very exciting right? While the buzz around the online groups was excited and hopeful- there were a few  things that stuck out to me.

Quite frankly, the big but's were getting in the way!

I kept reading.... "I'd love to go...but....". Or, "I wish I could go, but...".

Well, I'm sorry BUT, your excuses don't make sense. You own a business, you are in business- you have products to sell- therefore, you have money! Lack of money is not a valid reason to miss out on your companies annual convention. It's just an excuse. Because, if you have the desire to go- and you haven't been working- the only thing to blame, is who's looking back at you from the mirror. The MOTIVATION is the incentive prizes offered at convention...the MEANS to get there is dependent on you.

Step it up, make more sales, make more contacts, add more people to your team- because, when you are out there working- you are making money and if you have money you can go. It takes a goal and a plan and yeah, some hard work and elbow grease- and, it CAN be done.

I lost my "real job", a little over a month ago. Sure, money is tight.... but my plans are set up. I'm still going to convention- and my chance to win that trip- is there! I want to win stuff, I want to learn how to grow my business into even bigger and better things. I want to make more money, make more friends and live a better life.

So- my motivation- pushes me farther than I ever thought I could go. I didn't spent two years in this business to give up because, I don't make as much money as I used to. I'm still going.

I know that if I make it a goal and a plan to go, that I will in turn also be making life better in the long run for my family and I. When my business starts bringing in that residual income (long term income), that I will have more precious time with my family. More vacations, more travel, more of the things I want for my kids and family.


Don't let excuses run your life. Make a goal, make a plan and get out there and WORK. :) 

Moving out of your comfort zone!

Ok ladies. It's time to pack up and move out! That's right- I'm evicting you from your comfort zone!

Oh no, I knew this would happen. I knew you'd cry. Please, don't do that- this is for your own good! If you are sitting here thinking, how do I get out of this rut....?  You are living inside your comfort zone.

Earlier this week, I posted 20 ways to get out of your comfort zone. They applied more to life comfort rather than business- but, would definitely open doors for you. Today, let's focus more on business comfort zones.

If you:
1. Have not made any sales beyond friends and family...
2. Have not made a sale in 24 hours....
3. Have not handed out a business card today....
4. Have not talked to a complete stranger.....
5. Have not gotten out of your pajamas....

YOU ARE IN A COMFORT ZONE! You need help! Well, I'm here for you!

Here are some ideas to get you past this!

1. Make a list of everyone you know. Call all of them, even if you don't like them.

2. Hand out 5 business cards to random strangers.

3. Compliment 5 strangers on something that relates to your business. For example if you sell jewelry, compliment 5 people on their jewelry and ask if it's from the company you sell for....even if you KNOW it's not!

4. Host your own open house/party/presentation. Make up invitations, and hand them out to everyone you don't know. Do at least 100, even if you feel like you don't have enough product. What's the worst thing that can happen? You sell out? Yeah........... big problem!

5. Do something you are scared of. Create a blog, make a video, do a conference call.

6. Get off your computer! Social network sites and the internet are great for a lot of things, but nothing matches the person to person connections! People need to know you in real life!

7. Get completely decked out in formal wear, and go shopping. If you must have a reason, create a team party and go bowling all dressed up. This creates positive attention and shows you know how to have fun! People like fun people.

8. Don't be afraid to build new relationships. Make a new friend.

9. Go somewhere you've never been, and ask to hang up a flyer.

10. Get out of your Pajama's! Even if you aren't going anywhere, dress for success!

20 Ways to get out of your comfort zone

One of the leaders found this and posted it on our team support page. I asked if I could use it on my blog today!

I know you often hear "get out of your comfort zone", but usually people don't really tell you HOW to do that. Here are 20 ideas for you! Enjoy!

1. Put your personal work out in the world so that it’s potentially vulnerable for negative comments. A video on YouTube, a piece of writing online – anything that can be complimented or critiqued, which will either boost your confidence or thicken your skin.
2. Do something over-the-top embarrassing to make a fool of yourself. Take part in a dance-off, test out cheesy pickup lines, make preposterous requests at restaurants.
3. Set a colossal ambition that will require you to discipline yourself and accomplish smaller goals first. e.g. Running a marathon that will require weeks or months of training.
4. Allow a friend to make plans for you, giving them creative control of a night filled with unknown festivities. Comfort is all about knowing what to expect and having limited surprises, this will be a unique change of scenery.
5. Read a book from a section you’d normally never set foot in. If autobiographies are normally your thing, check out a Teen-Fiction novel or Humor piece. Whatever is outside of the norm.
6. Perform some type of public speaking, such as a poetry or reading at an open mic night.
7. Pickup a new hobby that you currently have very little ability to do. Musical instruments, cooking, painting, writing, dancing, etc.
8. Go on an adventure and explore a surrounding city or an area you’re unfamiliar with, using no GPS or assistance from your phone. Enjoy being lost and getting around only by investigating for yourself, and asking others for directions.
9. It’s not always easy to express our feelings to the people we love the most. Make time for the people you consider yourself closest to, and vocalize your care for them, despite how much easier it can be to think “I love you” than to say it.
10. Go to a restaurant you’ve never actually been to and order something unique off of the menu. No cheeseburgers or salads, nothing you’ve had several times – and preferably something you struggle to pronounce.
11. If you’ve grown comfortable doing things solo, start doing those activities with a friend. If you only do things with friends, try going it alone. Trust me, seeing a movie by yourself is surprisingly pleasant.
12. Make a new friend. No – that doesn’t mean add a random person on Facebook! At work, in class or when you’re out, start a conversation IN PERSON, and make friends with someone.
13. Take an improv class to get comfortable with unscripted interaction which, most of life consists of.
14. Switch up your daily routine drastically. If you’re a night owl, try hitting the hay early and waking up at sunrise. If you’re an early bird, explore the wee hours of the night for a change.
15. Limit your television watching. Replace that new found time being active and living your life, as opposed to watching others.
16. Take a financial risk that could result in a great reward.
17. Choose one of your fears and confront it head-on. Don’t like heights? Try skydiving, hiking a mountain or going on a rooftop – whatever you can do, as long as the idea of it makes you uneasy.
18. If at all possible, spend time around people more successful than you. Being surrounded by individuals who’ve accomplished more than you can be beneficial if used as inspiration and motivation.
19. Enter a competition in which the odds are stacked against you. Failure isn’t always a bad thing, especially if it’s utilized properly. By losing and feeling a letdown, you should become thirsty to try again or at least feel the glory of winning and success.
20. Say “yes” to every single opportunity that presents itself, big or small. From an invite to an event you typically wouldn’t attend, to a job promotion in a different city. Some things are life changers, and they should be embraced with open arms instead of shot down without consideration

Quit letting the negatives in your brain!

It doesn't matter where you are in life. If you are a seasoned consultant, or just starting out. There's going to be times when things just get hard. You'll hit a slump, things will slow down, people will become- dis-interested. Does that mean you have to give up? Absolutely not. This should motivate you to work harder, push farther and get further past your comfort zone. Because, if you continue working- you'll find yourself on an incredible journey of success- and, you won't even notice at first. It starts out in a small series of successes. Then, maybe you'll hit a rut again- but, those who just keep pushing on- those are the ones who have the greatest stories. Your story needs to be told, your journey is now- don't let negativity creep into your mind. Push it out! Believe in yourself! Believe in your product- believe in this business. I firmly believe that those who keep working, and keep believing, through the good times and the bad- are the ones your sitting there thinking negatively about. The ones who are making you insanely jealous. You don't think they've had hard times, too? Every single business person in the world has had struggles. Seek to find better, more effective ways to be productive.

 If it's a slow time for you, seek out information on how to better your business. Read some books like Go Pro!, Go for No!, Being the Leader, The Flip Flop Ceo, The Four Year Career, Think and Grow Rich....etc etc. There are hundreds of great books out there. Look for videos on how to hostess coach, how to generate leads, how to follow up with people. Seek out industry leaders like Julie Ann Jones, Bonnie Cribbs, Karen Green, or Sandi Krakowski or Sarah Robbins. Then when times get good again, you will have gained the skills to keep it going! 

The good WILL outweigh the bad, IF you keep going! No more negativity! No more excuses! Action, action, action! You cannot move forward without action!

Don't be a Wendy-whiner!

Earlier today I posted on my Facebook blog about not having a legitimate excuse as to why your business is in the dumps.  If you are stuck and not moving, it's exactly that, an excuse. Something is holding you back. 

But, what's worse than that? The person who is stuck, and who "pretends" to reach out to people for advice and support. They "act" like what they want is help, and that they want to learn new tips and tricks for business- but then........
 They shoot down EVERY SINGLE piece of advice, every tip, every trick and every single person who tries to help them. 

I see it so often. Nearly every day. "I am so frustrated. I can't sell my product. What can I do?", or "I'm so frustrated! I can't get anyone on my team! What can I do?" 

Then- in comes the flood of great and useful information....

Inevitably, I keep reading to see the response and it's almost always this: "I tried that once, it didn't work." 

Newsflash!!! You have to keep trying! Try it once, try it a hundred times, try it a THOUSAND times... it takes patience, persistence and passion! 

Then, a few weeks later, almost like clockwork- the SAME person is back again, asking for more help, and complaining that business is a bust. 

My advice if you are one of these people- go back and look at the advice offered, and this time give it a real try. Try it a thousand times. 

My advice if you are a reader of the Whiny Wendy's, and offer your advice without fail. Just stop. Until they give up their excuses, your just wasting your time. Don't be a Repeat-Rosie. 

All in all,  if you are stuck- look for those who are successful- and replicate them. Find their support, whether it's blogs, videos, training websites...whatever it is that they are doing- go find it, learn from it and then do it for yourself. 

Do you understand "Residual Income"?

I get overwhelmed at the thought of how many beautiful women are in direct sales/network marketing- who don't have a clue about residual income! It blows me away!

Definition: Residual Income
Passive income is an income received on a regular basis, with little effort required to maintain it.


When you join a direct sales company, usually- someone sponsors you in. Meaning you have an up-line. An up line is whoever is between you and the corporate office. You have just become someone, or a lot of some ones- residual income. 

When you add a team under you, you will train them, and teach them how to make sales and grow their team. If you are effective in your guidance, you will see a steady residual income begin to form. 
As your team grows and continues to make sales, they will re-order products to restock their displays. You will earn a percentage from their purchases. 

There are some companies out there, who think/teach/give the appearance that your team is your enemy. Your....dare I say it?.....competition. Ew. What an ugly, nasty word! 
Let me tell you one thing. If you are in a company that has trained you to think this way....you are in  PYRAMID SCHEME! Get out! 

If you are in a true MLM/network marketing/direct sales company- you will be taught that everyone can have success and can outrank anyone else. And, you will see that your team is not your competition. 
In direct sales ( a company that allows you to keep inventory, and sell face to face)- you will likely have an inventory that is completely different than another consultants inventory. This creates a unique experience for a customer. In this case, a customer can spend money with you AND the consultant down the street- giving you both success and sales. This is not a bad thing. A customer can very well be loyal to more than one consultant! 

You also will not have the same social circles. If you are still working outside the home, you will likely both have completely different routines, friends and opportunities. This means- there is room for both of you. 
If you are in the same area, this can benefit you greatly! If your company allows it, team up for events and double your inventory! The more you have, the more you sell and this benefits BOTH of you! 
Also, if you were to get sick for a party or an event- rather than losing the sales all together- call your team! They can cover for you! 

And, if they are making sales, they are re-ordering, so that is bringing you guess what>! Residual income! 
Train your brain better! Start thinking in terms of teamwork! Stop thinking everyone is out to get you and start believing we can all have success!