Technorati Tags: homebusinessdirectsales, partyplanbusinesstips, wahm

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Getting our home and office set up has taken much longer than I anticipated. Moving from approximately 3000 square foot to almost half of that presents it’s own unique set of challenges. We spent an entire day setting up our office, and then yesterday putting together my “studio” to see clients. In my previous home my dining room was made into a “Beauty Boutique” where not only did I pamper my customers, but they could all of the products on display. During the “staging” process of selling my home, I had to take it all down, but there was plenty of room in my training center to recreate it for my customers.

This home is much smaller, so my entire dining room set doesn’t fit in one room. So I chose to put the buffet with a display of some of the beautiful prizes that I have earned through the years ( including china and golden goblets) I put together a small cafe style table with four chairs to do parties around and used a small card table in the corner to make a small display. It feels femine and very welcoming and intimate.  Now I feel ready to go out and meet people!

Another aspect of my welcoming people to my home is a gourmet “coffee bar”. I have a 40 cup coffee maker that is always filled with specialty coffee and accumulate different flavored syrups. So when I talk to people, I can tell them to stop by anytime for coffee. I know that will become something that I will be known for here as well.

I contacted some of the other Sales Directors in my Company and have already made arrangements to attend some of their events. I know that I will feel very much at home here quickly.

So today we went out to run errands for the first time. I opened a bank account, and visited two other banks to cash checks that were drawn on their bank. Each time after introducing myself I gave them my business card, telling them all the information is still correct except the address that I wrote on the back of the card. I really think that these cards will do for now, the personal touch of writing my new address for them seemed to go over well.

I’m just about ready to begin now. I would love to hear from others who have relocated their business to share tips. As I continue to build my business here, I will be journalling for all of you to read.6

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Many of my regular readers have sent me messages asking what has happened to me? Why was I not posting to my blog on a regular basis anymore? There are times when “life” just gets in the way. This has been one of those times.  My husband Alex and I put our home on the market about 9 months ago in an effort to downsize.  Our children are grown and being part of our grandchildren’s lives became a more important priority than a 3000 square foot home.

When we first put the home on the market, we began the process of “staging”.( For anyone who doesn’t know what this is, it is a basic de-cluttering and undecorating to make your home more appealing to the potential buyer) That led to a series of home repairs, painting, and just going through the entire home and start to decide what will go and what will stay. That sounds easier than it is, I might add. We built the home in 1988, raised a family there, and it seems like we never threw away anything. There was plenty of storage, with a complete floored walk up attic that we eventually filled.

As summer turned to fall, and we continued to drop the price of our home, we felt as though there couldn’t be anyone within 50 miles of our property who had not gone through at least once for a “showing”. Each time, we would leave our home for 1-2 hours and go somewhere wondering if this was the one.  Amazingly, I still managed to work my direct sales business, but nowhere near my normal level.

So we had to decide if we were to “wait it out” until next spring or be couragous and move now before winter hits, and attempt to capture the peak holiday season in a new part of the country.  We chose the latter.

The first weekend in October, all of our adult children assembled in the home to go through their things and decide what to take and what to leave behind. Then the move began. I thought this would be an excellent time to journal how I took my business from one location and start to grow it in another area. Today is the beginning of that journey…

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Many women are faced with a decision whether to take time off from their education to make money for the following year. This is a difficult decision because it becomes easy to put off returning to school indefinitely. There is another option, that allows you to continue your education and build a business on the side. Take a look at this independent video to learn more. If this is something that interests you, fill out the contact form above and I will give you more information.

Technorati Tags: collegejobs, directsaleshomebusiness, workathome

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If you are still considering a home business in direct sales, but have not yet made that decision, today’s USA Today had an excellent article in the Money section. CLICK HERE TO READ IT

After reading this article, it should be a simple decision on which Company to choose. Here are a few questions to consider-

• Are the products sales a big part of the income? If so, are they quality products that you like, use and have a passion about sharing with others.
• Is it a consumable product, giving you a reorder business?
• Is it possible to make money WITHOUT recruiting? ( some people choose not to add that extra avenue of income for whatever reason)
• Is there a big turnaround in representatives, or do you know of many who have been in business for over a decade?
• Does the company do advertising for you?
• Does the company provide a web site for you?
• Is education available for you as needed, using whatever method you choose?
• Is it possible to find a mentor who has already been successful in direct sales?
• Look at other avenues of income for leadership positions, including cars, life insurance, retirement packages and other benefits.

Feel free to fill out the contact form above if you would like for me to give you a free 15 minute consultation. I’d love to help you decide what is best for YOU!

Technorati Tags: careerinformation, home business in recession, USA Today

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If you are reading this you probably are already an entrepreneur in a direct sales home business. Or maybe you are still just “thinking” about it. There is NO perfect time. The lights are never all green at the same time. Maybe you just need to stop thinking and start doing. Whenever you make a decision from your heart, it is usually the best one for you and it comes quickly. Whenever you over analyize things, it makes your decision more difficult and you forget what your heart is telling you to do.
I can’t promise you success in my company or in any other direct sales company. What I can promise you is that you will never know unless you try. Give it an honest year of your life, and follow the lead of someone that you know has already been successful. Just do it! I’d rather be a person who says “I’m glad that I did “,instead of “I wish that I had!” Your investment of money is minimal for what you can get in return. Your investment in time will give you life lessons that you can always use and pass on to your family! I’m changing lives- one face at a time. What about you?

Technorati Tags: Inspiration, starting a home business, why to begin direct sales

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This is a perfect example of why I have the most loyal customers. The products are the best! I actually had some customers place orders on my personal web site while I was in Australia visiting my son and his family. ( I had contacted them all before I left to see if they needed any of their basic items.) Because we have an awesome Customer delivery service, I was able to have their products shipped directly to them! I normally have a very good supply of everything, but rather than make my customers wait for me to get home, it was a good decision for me to have the products shipped directly to them.

This kind of service is what creates customers for life. Serving them even when it is not convenient for you is what causes them to tell a friend, or even create a video like this one. (I do not know this person and she is NOT my customer) I am certain that just about any of my customers have had a similar experience where they ran out of something and didn’t want to “bother” me and bought something else. For that reason, once a year I have a Spring Cleaning Sale. I encourage them to bring their buying mistakes and trade them in for new products and get a discount by doing this. (I never figured out why someone would keep something that doesn’t work. It’s like eating moldy bread, isn’t it?) So what do you think?

Technorati Tags: best selling brand of eyemakeup remover, creating loyal customers, customerservice

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Mary Kay, other direct sales companies find more workers in bad times
8:54 AM CDT on Monday, April 27, 2009
By ERIC AASEN / The Dallas Morning News
As times get tough, more women want to make quick cash hawking Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub, Eyesicles eyeshadows and Cellu-Shape Nighttime Body Gel. After all, even with the economy in the dumps, women still wear makeup. How about some Coastal Colors Lip Gloss?

LARA SOLT/Staff Photographer
Michelle Mikulas in her home office in Flower Mound on Monday, April 20, 2009.

Mikulas now works full time for Mary Kay since losing her job last year. Addison-based Mary Kay is reporting a significant increase in the number of independent beauty consultants joining its sales ranks. Avon, another at-home makeup sales heavyweight, is also seeing a jump – as are other direct sales companies, which rely on independent workers to sell their products. Many in the new sales force are looking for solutions during these troubling times – like Mary Dawson of Mesquite.
She has a full-time job as an office manager but wants to earn extra cash. Plus, she likes the makeup.
“Everybody is looking for ways to make ends meet,” said Dawson, 32. “The economy has gone down, and I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. It’s a perfect time to start.”
The $30 billion direct-sales industry offers a variety of products, including goods in home décor, jewelry, cookware and nutritional supplements. And direct sales usually hold steady even when retail numbers drop.
Mary Kay, other direct sales companies find more workers in bad times

Rhonda Shasteen, Mary Kay’s chief marketing officer, says that more people are turning to direct sales for the “self-control factor.”
“When you’re in a job and how you’ve been supporting your family is in question and you’re not sure whether you walk in the next day and you’ll be laid off or have your pay cut … people feel out of control,” she said. “They look for, ‘How can I gain some control over my situation?’ ”
Mary Kay saw a high double-digit percentage increase in the number of beauty consultants this March compared with a year ago, Shasteen said. Avon reported a 1 percent increase of North American sales representatives during the fourth quarter last year, said Lindsay Blaker, an Avon spokeswoman. Mary Kay and Avon have even launched advertising campaigns specifically targeting women looking to earn extra money. “It’s been a way to reach out to people that Avon can … help you during this downturn,” Blaker said. The section of the Mary Kay Web site that promotes beauty consultants saw more than a 100 percent increase in traffic in March compared with numbers from January and February.
And other companies offering direct sales have reported an uptick in recruiting over the past several months, said Amy Robinson, vice president of communications for the Direct Selling Association, which represents companies involved with direct sales. Workers say they enjoy direct selling because they can work their sales around family life.
Last summer, Michelle Mikulas was laid off as a corporate recruiter. Instead of looking for another job, the Flower Mound resident decided to focus on selling Mary Kay, partly to spend more time with her three young children.
“I can be my own boss and set my own hours and spend time with my kids,” said Mikulas, 34. “I was going to make [Mary Kay] more of a full-time effort on my part and be a full-time mom at the same time.”
Stacey Griffith of Fort Worth joined Mary Kay after her sister sold over $500 of products in three weeks. For now, Griffith, 20, will sell on the side while she studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. She plans to graduate next year, and if the economy remains lousy, she might focus
on Mary Kay full time. “You’re never going to get fired” in direct sales, Griffith said. “You can make as much money as you want. … I would like to go as far as I could with it. Why not?”
At Mary Kay, some are happy earning $50 a week, while top directors can earn $1 million a year,Shasteen said. Median annual earnings for a direct sales worker is about $2,400, and 10 percent of direct sellers
work at least 30 hours a week, Robinson said. Direct sellers typically earn between 25 and 50 percent of a sale. For most, it is a job where they can earn some money on the side. To earn lots more, sellers typically need to recruit new workers in addition to selling the product.
One reason that sellers might be attracted to Mary Kay and Avon is that makeup has long been considered recession-proof. But this downturn is taking some of the gloss off sales. U.S. department store beauty sales declined 3 percent in 2008, according to NPD Group, a market-research firm. NPD reports that 26 percent of direct sales shoppers say they’re spending less on beauty products, compared with 33 percent of customers of department stores. So, direct makeup sales seem to be faring better.
“It could be an opportunity for the direct seller in terms of offering some innovative value products,” said Karen Grant, NPD vice president and global industry analyst for beauty. Direct sales of all products tend to fare better during recessions. The average annual growth for
direct sales is 3.6 percent during nonrecession years, but rose to 4.5 percent during the recession years of 1990, 1991 and 2001, according to the Direct Selling Association. Mary Kay sellers hope they benefit. Dawson sold $280 worth of Mary Kay products during a recent sales event – her profit is $140. “Pretty good for two hours of work,” she said.
Dawson has gone around her neighborhood, handing out bags of makeup samples. .
“I can go as far as I can with it,” she said. “The possibilities are endless.”

DIRECT SALES: WHAT TO KNOW
More people are testing direct sales to earn additional income. If you are interested, Amy Robinson with the Direct Selling Association offers these tips:
•Set goals regarding income generated. Someone wishing to earn only spending money will have a different approach to direct sales than someone planning to work more hours.
•Verify that the product you’re selling is legitimate and useable. Watch out for sham products.
•To start selling, direct sellers often must purchase a starter kit – usually around $100 – that typically includes product samples, catalogs, order forms and a training manual. Compare the cost of the kit to what you get in return.
•Understand the company’s compensation plan. Typically, direct sellers earn 25 percent to 50 percent of a sale.
•Make sure the company has a buy-back policy on products you purchase to sell. Companies should pay at least 90 percent of the purchase price of inventory bought in the last 12 months.
•Direct sales companies that are DSA members must comply with the association’s code of ethics. To find a list of members, visit dsa.org.
SOURCE: Direct Selling Association

For more information about my experience in direct sales and to discover if it may be a good choice for you too, fill out the contact form above.

Technorati Tags: Dallas Morning News article, Direct Sales Companies, DSA, MaryKay Cosmetics

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Check out Executive Senior National Sales Director Gloria Mayfield Banks on ABC!! What a great empowering interview with one of the most inspiring success stories!

Perhaps this video will help you Re-Capture your Vision or even EXPAND YOUR VISION. Gloria Mayfield Banks was recently featured on ABC.You absolutely must watch this!

Look at what consistency in your business can do for you!So many women can benefit from this opportunity.I am so excited to be a part of this company!

Gloria is the ONLY National in HISTORY to be on the WORLD NEWS!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE NEWS STORY

Technorati Tags: GloriaMayfield Banks, Learn from the top, Mary Kay on World News

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Today’s guest post is from Alyssa Avant. Alyssa Avant is a Christian speaker, writer and blogger.  She works from home while caring for her 3 children.  Find out more about Alyssa at http://alyssaavant.com

–>

Being a work at home mom, we may have the tendency to not take our businesses as seriously at least in the beginning when it may feel just like a hobby rather than a business. However, it is important to start early beginning to treat your business like a business and that means being organized.

Some of the parts of your business, which it is important to be organized with are: finances, policies and procedures, and workload or tasks.

Each of these areas can have a huge impact over how your business will fair over the long term if not handled properly and done in an organized manner.

Beginning with your finances, this is an area where you want to be sure to know what is coming in and what is going out. If taken care of  properly you can make the most of what you make, and claim the expenses that you incur to help with your taxes as well. Use some type of software or at least a paper bookkeeping system to track your income and expenses. It is also a good idea to keep your receipts whether you do so physically or you write them to .PDF files, digitally on your computer.

Another important area of your business to be aware of and organized with is your policies and procedures, whether you are running a service based business, selling items on EBay or blogging for pay you will want to have a good idea of how you handle the various issues that can arise in running a business. What is your policy if someone wants a refund for those of you in service based businesses, or even those who sell on EBay, or what happens bloggers when you’re hired to blog and you do not get paid how will you handle the issue at hand. Deciding upon your policies and procedures for handling the different aspects of business from the get-go can help you in the days that follow.

Your workload or tasks that you will need to handle on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis are also important to keep in check. Whether you create a daily task list or write out your goals a month in advance and then break into manageable sections you will want to be organized in the way you tackle your workload, to ensure everything gets accomplished.

Finally, though your business is not limited to just being organized in finances, policies and procedures and workload or tasks these are all important areas to start out focusing on getting into shape.

Technorati Tags: businessorganization, wahm. Christian business women

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