Struggling with trying to remember BUT grateful I have blogged about this before.
On February 7th, 2011, I talked to Hope Shortt. See, the truth is I joined Thirty One in 2009 and didn’t do much with it. Yup, I was probably known as a kitknapper. I had a few sales but nothing much and it wasn’t long before I went inactive.
I can’t remember exactly how or why it all happened – God had a plan. I starting following Hope on Facebook and I read her story. I had a conversation with her and told her I wanted to join her Thirty One team. She asked me “what my why” was? I mean we ask people all of the time, “What is YOUR why?”. I was nervous and this people pleasing person told her I wanted to earn some extra money. The truth was, deep down I wanted to have a big dream but fear and doubt crept in. So, I settled on sharing the products at vendor/craft shows, not wanting to do home parties and really not interested in having a team. I was a full time COO (Chief Operating Officer) of a non-profit, who had time for much of anything. I figured the recruiting aspect was taken care of because it was just one day prior to the FREEZE which was a relief. I had been doing craft/ vendor shows for over 20 years, so it was going to be easy. Hope listened and said she would be there to help when I needed her. No pressure just support and kindness.
So started the journey with Thirty One – Round 2. I did vendor events, lots of them, selling but still NOT booking parties. Fear and doubt were my friends. I didn’t have much confidence – I know amazing, right? This was so far out of my comfort zone.
I got my my first TWO potential recruits during the freeze. I was honest with both of them from the start. I wasn’t doing home parties and I was going to learn along with them. Believe it or not, they still joined as soon as the freeze lifted and quickly qualified with $1,000 in sales each. I was now a Senior Consultant. I wasn’t sure what it meant but it was okay. I was having fun and slowly building confidence. One of my first home office leads was for a HOME PARTY! Panic set in… it was someone I didn’t know and I was clueless. I had never done a home party. I could do this… and I DID! I stumbled my way through it – no additional booked parties or recruits but I had sales and it was kind of fun.
My FIRST Thirty One National Conference was August of 2012. It was there I set a goal and decided to dream big and go for Leadership. The goal was to be Director BEFORE National Conference 2013. The stats say those who go to national conference earn more – TRUE! Those who go to national conference – PROMOTE – TRUE! October, 2012 I was DIQ and in January 2013, I was blessed to earn my $1,000 Director Bonus. It was a whirlwind time filled with lots of emotions. I had gained confidence as a consultant but being a Director brought new fears and challenges.
National Conference 2013 with my daughter and members of the Rays of Hope Team. I walked across stage and was CELEBRATED as a NEW Thirty One Director. Tears of joy flowed freely all weekend and continue each time I think back to the moment. Hope Shortt, my National Executive Director, hugged me on stage. I struggle with memories but the emotion of walking across the stage stays with me bringing me to tears each time I think of it.
Since then my why has changed so much. I no longer work full-time and we rely on my Thirty One business as the second income in the house. It pays bills and allows us to travel a little bit.
I still sometimes struggle with my “why” and learning to DREAM BIG. I still get nervous before a Home party. I continue to work on personal development because inner gremlins along with fear and doubt still on occasion haunt me. I am blessed with a sisterhood across the country who helps me when I am struggling, who celebrates with me and who encourages me when the struggle is real. My team continues to grow and inspires me everyday. They accept me for who I am and have helped me to learn to love me for me.
I would say the biggest blessing from my Thirty One business is the restoration of a confidence in myself I lost when I was in HIGH SCHOOL. Yes, I have earned FREE products! Yes, I have been able to pay off debt & travel as a result of my commission checks! Yes, I have found a sisterhood I didn’t know existed in my Thirty One sisters! Yes, I have grown in my walk with God, learning to trust and believe his will will be done in my business! These are all the things Thirty One has blessed me with…. it CHANGED MY LIFE. Could it be the think that changes your life?
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 