Holiday Road Trip Survival Guide

 

This week starts one of the busiest travel period of the year…

Why this week?  In NJ, it is teacher’s convention add to that Election Day  and it makes for a week (or almost a week) off from school for the kids.  Next up is Thanksgiving then Christmas.

What about the weekend trips to see the leaves change?  This is what I think about hitting the road…. So, whether you’re going away for a long weekend or just a day, road trips can definitely add to the holiday joy – and stress. But from packing to snacking, Thirty-One has some helpful tips that will have you looking forward to the journey as much as the destination!

 

Savvy packing

My husband always jokes about the packing skills.  I can fit LOTS of stuff into a small space and still see out the back window.  It comes from all of the trips to cheering competitions and craft shows.  Organized packing can mean fewer bags, and fewer bags means more room to stretch your legs on the long car ride! For your clothes and other essentials, load up a couple of All Packed Duffles or Fold-Over Weekenders. These travel bags are just the right size for holidays away, and their soft edges mean you can squeeze several into your trunk more easily than boxy suitcases.

Blankets and pillows are road trip essentials, whether they’re for napping on the way to your destination or extra bedding once you get there. Instead of letting your backseat become a sea of blankets, fold and store bedding in a Large Utility Tote (LUT) in your trunk so it’ll be easy to access during pit stops. You’ll be all set to snuggle up by the fire with family and friends, and LUTs are also great for keeping all of those carefully wrapped gifts safe and sound!

Packing toiletries for travel is always tricky, but the Fold Up Family Organizer is a great option to store all your bottles and brushes. The clear zipper pockets make it easy to see what’s where without products falling out during the drive.

Smart snacking

Packing snacks can help you save money and time on the road. Juice boxes, string cheese sticks and fruit like grapes or apple slices are all easy, no-mess snacks for kids and adults alike, and they fit perfectly in the Fresh Market Thermal. This cooler keeps all your food and drinks secure during long road trips and then folds up nicely once its empty, giving you even more leg room. Or, load it up with holiday leftovers for the trip home!

Holiday gatherings usually mean food and lots of it. Whether you’ve whipped up a tasty casserole or some decadent desserts, bring something special to the table with our Perfect Party Set. Just the right size to tuck securely under a seat, this cooler helps you transport all your hard holiday work safely to the table.

Activity tracking

Nothing makes time fly like keeping yourself occupied during a road trip. If you’re looking for some inspiration to help pass the time while travelling, try out these ideas:

• Audio books or podcasts are a great option if passengers have differing music tastes, and they still let the driver be involved! Download a couple of funny podcast episodes or holiday-themed books before your trip to switch things up from the radio.
• Plan fun pit stops. If you’re going to be spending hours in the car, map out some fun stopping points that will give you an excuse to get out and stretch your legs. Check online before you depart to see if there are any monuments, bakeries or nature sites along your route.
• Journal challenges: Get the kids’ creative juices flowing! Give each passenger a Journal Trio journal and some pencils. Throughout the trip, call out challenges like “draw a picture of Grandma’s house” or “make up a story about what Santa does the day after Christmas.” It’s fun for kids to share what they’ve come up with, but it’s also fun for you to think up the challenges!

Fashion hacking

A long car ride in your most stylish holiday outfit? After a few miles, those scratchy sequins might make you wish you had opted for sweats. Instead, travel fashionably (and comfortably) by taking your basics and dressing them up with JK by Thirty-One jewelry! Add a little sparkle to a plain sweater with the bold Fringed & Fabulous Necklace or a dainty pair of Gallery Earrings. You’ll feel comfortable and ready to celebrate as soon as you roll up to that holiday party.

Keeping your jewelry secure and organized while travelling can save lots of time, headaches and untangling in the long run. Jewelry organizers like the Baubles & Bracelets Case are perfect for separating delicate chains from dangling earrings so that you can have yourself a stylish little holiday.

When you’re taking a holiday road trip, every item needs to pull double duty, and that includes your handbag! Travel in style with classics like the Organizing Shoulder Bag or the new Colorblock Tote. These fashionable additions complete any outfit, and no one needs to know that you’ve tucked extra socks or toiletries inside!

What hacks help you travel during the holidays? Let us know with the #thirtyone hashtag!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Product Spotlight: Fold Over Weekender

 

Today’s product spotlight is one of my favorite travel bags – especially a road trip – the Fold Over Weekender.  Flying I need something with wheels so if the fold over weekender had a baby with the Away We Go Roller – I would be in heaven!

I asked my customers what they loved about this AWESOME product and here is what they had to say:

• I love this! Perfect size! I just used mine this weekend. I went it a wedding up north!
• I love mine! It has so many usages from a weekend getaway to wedding to a busy day with my daughter !
• Got this last year for my daughter for Christmas and she loves it and so do I!!! She just used it 2 weeks ago on our weekend trip, and its the perfect weekend/overnight bag. Or whatever you want to use it for.
• I love it! So much room, not bulky when full, and fits everything.

This versatile travel bag can be worn as either a shoulder bag or crossbody bag using the removable shoulder strap which comes with it. The top fold-over flap covers the zip closure and can be folded down with a lobster claw closure. An exterior flat pocket allows you easy access to your phone, keys or whatever else you put inside. The interior zipper pocket provides a safe storage space.

It can be used as a carry-on. Whether on the plane or in the car, it’s the perfect size to carry all your essentials like makeup, toiletries, phone, tablet, batteries, etc. If someone saw you unpack they’d think it’s a Mary Poppins bag because it holds so much. The dimensions are approximately 19.25” H (unfolded) x 18.75” L (top opening width) x 9.5”D which means it’s also a great size to stow in an overhead bin or even at your feet in the car.

For those of us who used duffels in high school (I know, I am showing my age)…. this is even better!

Another idea… headed out on a cruise – bring it with you! Fill it with towels, bathing suits, sunglasses, flip flops, and sunscreen, and enjoy the ship’s pool while you wait for your room! The detachable shoulder strap makes it super easy to carry.  Because this bag folds flat, you can also bring it with you empty and bring it home full. It’s a great way to tote your souvenirs, extra clothes, incidentals, or even a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies mom sends you home with when you go to visit.

The only downside for me, is the fact it can get heavy when it is filled so it is hard for me to carry.  I can’t think of another one and neither could my customers.

Guess what??? If you spend $35 this month, you can get a Thirty One Fold Over Weekender for $31 (retail price $80).  So you can get TWO bags for less than the cost of just the weekender!  Pretty AWESOME, right?

So where are you traveling to and will your suitcase get lost in the sea of look alike bags?  Stop by www.partywithHope.com and get yours.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Are You Superstitious?

Do you dread this day each time it rolls around? I used to be one of those people. I used negative words to describe the day and the outcome was “I got negative results”. I was surprised by the origins of this “dreaded day”:

The origins are as mysterious as the day itself, although it’s thought to stem from two separate fears that amalgamate every now and again to frighten us. Yup, the number 13 and Friday (apparently) have long been considered to be unlucky in their own right.

REALLY, Fridays were considered unlucky too?  I always thought Fridays were GREAT days. Especially TODAY since I am in  NC with my daughter and looking forward to a weekend filled with tailgating and fun.  Yes, I squirreled.  As an employee, it was pay day with the exception of my years at the casinos, so what’s so bad about it? For those with a Monday – Friday JOB, it means the end of the work week and the start of two days of NO WORK! As for those of us in direct sales, Fridays are always good because they are traditionally our busy party nights.  Pay day means people are ready to shop too!

  

As for the number 13, this is what they had to say:

The number 13 has always been seen as a bit of an unfriendly number. In numerology it is irregular, transgressing the completeness of perfect 12 (for example, 12 months of the year and 12 signs of the zodiac).

Okay, I am not sure what to say about this. I do know most builders don’t include a 13th floor in the hotels or skyscrapers to avoid the negative energy it creates in people. I mean, would you rent a room or an office on the 13th floor?

A few years ago, I started changing the way I looked at Friday the 13th. I started thinking of it as just another day – a day like any other day. I LOVE thinking about it as “31” in reverse.  Okay, occasionally Negative Nellie will make a passing comment but overall positive thoughts prevail.

What are you doing on this Friday the 13th? I am hosting a special to my VIP customers and hostesses at Hope’s Purse Closet (as well as those who read my blog):

Better yet, if you place an order of $35 you can take advantage of the AWESOME October Customer special.  You can also kick off you holiday shopping with the NEW Holiday Gift Guide.  

To place an order, you can email, text, call or PM me on Facebook to place your order and receive your discount.  If you place your order online with DIRECT SHIP, I will not be able to give the discount because direct ship orders are being processed as soon as they are placed online.   I am turning a negative into a positive today, what about you?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Friday Fun Day

WOOHOO!  Who doesn’t love Fridays?  Okay, so some of you may work on the weekends – been there, done that so if you do, think of “Fun Friday” as the day before your two days off.  Isn’t it a relief to know you have the next two days to take a break from work? You can let down your guard, dress casually and as a result you have more spring in your step and accomplish just a bit more.

Have you ever wondered why Fridays are on the pedestal while we struggle with Mondays or even Tuesdays? What if we had an entire week of Fridays? No, I am not advocating quitting your job, although working from home and making my own hours had a BIG impact on my attitude.

Today is all about finding the “fun” in your business again.  Building relationships with our customers.

By definition, a customer is “a person who purchases goods or services from another”. Basic right? We all know it – we have been customers, we know customers and we need them in our business.

Now, take a moment to think about how you shop… Do you shop for the best sales? Do you buy the same product, time and again – why? Do you travel to certain stores because of the awesome service they provide? Are you faithful to one store? Are you faithful to one direct sales consultant per company or do you hop from consultant to consultant?

In direct sales, we sometimes joke and ask customers if they are “married” to their consultant. Why? Their answer will tell us how faithful they are to their consultant.  I am  not one to step on others toes, so I want to be sure they return to their regular consultant  or if they don’t have one, I then know they are fair game to “court” for business.

Rhonda Abrams wrote an article about “Getting and keeping customers is like any relationship. It takes courtship, commitment, and ongoing communication to keep the spark alive.” I liked how she talked about the stages of building a relationship with your customers.

STAGE 1: 

• Show up. Be visible with your product. Use it, wear it, display it!
• Look good. Do you have a website? If your company offers one, even at a minimal charge – GET IT!
• Be social. Facebook? Pinterest? Twitter? Instagram? LinkedIn? There are so many to choose from – pick the one which works best for YOU!
• Be interesting. Share your expertise. It isn’t all about the product. You have experience and ideas, tidbits of information to share – let people get to know YOU.
• Keep at it. Market, market, market. Customers don’t just show up; you have to continually court them.

STAGE 2: 

• Get personal. Customers need to sense a personal connection with you. Help them get to know you — and try to get to know them.
• Mind your manners. Be polite. Smile. Learn customers’ names. Say thank you – a lot. Remember, your customers want to feel they are being treated like people, not dollar signs.
• Know what you’re talking about. Understand your products and policies and be able to answer customers’ questions quickly and thoroughly.

STAGE 3: 

• Be honest. Tell them if you don’t have something to meet their needs. If you don’t know – tell them then find out and get back to the quickly.
• Price fairly. In direct sales, our products already come priced so even if you aren’t the cheapest option, you have to be a realistic choice.
• Provide something customers will be glad they bought. Always deliver quality, and you’ll increase customer satisfaction and garner rave reviews. I LOVE when someone has a Thirty One product and can sing its praises.
• Let them in. My business is an open book for my customers – who knows they could be my next recruit.

STAGE 4: 

• Add a special touch. When I deliver packages to a hostess, the orders are bagged and tagged with a thank you note. I do lots of snail mail cards, etc just to let my customers know I care.
• Go the extra mile. Exceed expectations; give a little extra. I offer referral gifts when  someone joins my team and is referred by a customer.  The thank you is for getting them to my door, and the rest is up to me.
• Use a good customer relationship management system. My system is a notebook and tickler file – basic paper.  It allows me to stay in touch on a more personal basis with my customers.
• Show them a good time. Host holiday events and open houses. This is one of my customers favorite things. My condo has become too cramped now so it is time to find and move to a larger space.
• Be loyal. Give customers good customer service and they will continue to keep coming back.

So, are all four stages a part of YOUR business? Are customers jumping ship to go to a different consultant? Do they “just shop at parties”? Keep your customers coming back to you and continue to grow your business. I would love to hear your thoughts….

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

March Madness

WOOHOO!  It is Monday morning and I am ready to conquer the world.  Okay, so it may be a slight stretch but I am ready to get into the spirit of March Madness.  No, I am not talking about basketball… I am talking about Thirty One’s March Madness.

If you haven’t heard yet, Thirty One has an AMAZING opportunity for hostesses this month.  Are you ready?

That’s right with a $500 party you get DOUBLE hostess credits so instead of $90 in FREE products you are gong to $180!  Talk about a shopping spree!I know, no time for a party right?  The house is a mess and no time to clean.  No room to have my friends over. None of my friends live close.  Too busy.  No money.  I have heard all of the reasons why you can’t have a party and get FREE stuff BUT for just 31 minutes of your time on Facebook, you could have a party.  Yes, you heard me right.

My new Facebook parties have me LIVE with you and your friends for 31 minutes highlighting all of the products you want to see up close. A personal shopper coming right into your home.  Here is how it works….

• I will send you a hostess packet for our party within the next 14 days.
• You share the catalog with friends and family to gather some outside orders.
• You will send me a guest list of 20 people who you want to attend with their snail mail address.  I will send them a personal paper invite with a treat.  Of those 20, you will pick 10 people who are a must have at your party.  Those individuals will receive a mini  catalog with a bonus option for helping you collect orders.
• Once I have the list, I will set up you Facebook party.
• We will do some posts on the party before it starts
• The day of the LIVE party, I will tell everyone how to earn tickets to win
• We will go live at the designated time for some fun and games.
• We will close your party within 48 hours of the LIVE event

Easy peasy, right?  No fuss. No mess.

The best part is all of the NEW items in March at Thirty One

#1 – March Customer Special…… I LOVE this special.  Some of our most popular bags from the NEW Spring catalog on sale

#2 Close to Home Tray is BACK!  This product sold out in 23 days when it was introduced during the holidays.  It is back with two options for personalization.

#3 – Celebrating Teachers and Nurses.  

#4 – You asked for it, we have it!  The NEW Softball icon..

Can you thing better than being a hostess in March?  Maybe it is starting your own business with one of our Spring Enrollment kits…

  

Not only do you get paid to party BUT you will also have the chance to get up to 4 of these amazing kits for FREE each month for the first four months.

So, who is ready to join in the fun?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!