April Showers Bring May Flowers

If you are in Jersey, it seems like the dreary days of April may continue into May but it won’t be long and we will be able to enjoy the wonderful Spring weather (hopefully)….

May is an AMAZING month for so many reasons.  In our house, it is celebration time. First my birthday, then Mother’s Day, then our wedding anniversary followed by my one year anniversary in recovery!  So many things to be grateful for…

Things are happening at Thirty One, too!  The May Customer Special is TWO of the upcoming totes in Thirty One.  They are the Crossbody Organizing Tote and the newest addition to the Thirty One family the Small Utility Tote.  It is actually half the size of Deluxe Utility Tote!   This versatile product has so many uses, you will need more than just one.  It has become one of my new favorite bags!

There are THREE great ways to take advantage of this month’s customer special…

#1 – Could you use some extra money? Maybe you could pay off some bills? Or pay for the kids summer activities?  Maybe you just need some girl time?  Maybe you are looking for a career change?  Whatever your reason, I would love to help you reach your dream…We have TWO different Enrollment Kits to pick from…. the Signature for $99 (over $350 in product) or the Deluxe for $179 (over $450 in product).

PLUS with sales of $1000 up over the next 4 months, you earn Wishes Rewards!  You will be able to use them for more free products or business supplies, VISA gift cards or Disney gift cards.  Think of all of the possibilities.

#2 – Not sure about starting your own business…. how about hosting a girls get together? When was the last time you hung out with the girls without the kids?  Need a break from the craziness of life?  You supply the friends and I will do all of the work….  We can have a home party, a trunk party, a “happy hour” party, text party, or a Facebook Party.  I also do fundraisers so we can help out your favorite cause while having a great time. Which one will fit into YOUR busy schedule

For just $200 in orders, YOU can have a qualified party. Did you know only 6 orders of $35 will get you a $200 party? I offer home, catalog/online, drinks at a local restaurant and 31-minute Facebook LIVE parties.

With a $600 party, you get this AMAZING hostess special for just $35.  The Miles of Style Bundle includes: the Miles of Style purse and a Rubie Mini. A great gift for the graduate.

#3 –  So maybe you just LOVE to shop? Don’t need any extra money.  Don’t like to hang out with the girls.  BUT you do love a good deal…

So here is the AMAZING Thirty One Customer Special for May – DRUM ROLL, please!!!!

 

The small utility tote is just $12 with a $35 purchase.  OR the Crossbody Organizing Tote for $15.

 

 

So, to sum things up…there are THREE opportunities with Thirty One this month (actually every month!):

Which one is for you? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

What Is Your Vision?

I am taking this week as a week of reflection, a time to clear my head and get ready for the New Year.  I feel more focused in my business then I have in about 2 years – is it the new medicine, the physical therapy or is the remitting MS finally remitting?  Whatever the reason, I am excited to think about and plan for the upcoming year.

When I started my journey in direct sales, I had a dream…  What about you, what is your vision or dream when it comes to your business?

I wanted to quit my job and work from home.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved my job but the commute and the desire to make my own hours again was calling me.  Maybe you want to pay off debt. Maybe you want some ME time. Maybe you want to travel. Maybe you want to be able to give back to the community. Think for just a moment, what was the FIRST reason you joined your direct sales company or you maybe are now considering joining one.

Yes, I wanted to have my own business but I never really thought it would be in direct sales; I actually thought it would be a storefront.  When I starting with Thirty One, it was for the discounts.  With the discounts, I could provide gifts to women and children in need.  I wanted to fundraise to help others. Although sometimes I squirrel off my true course, I do always come back to it.

My “why” is and always has been “to make a difference in the lives of others“.

Our “why” is what motivates us towards our vision. It is the emotional connection you have every day with why you are doing what you are doing. For some this takes time to find – I am a true testament to it taking a long time.  For others, it is easy.

Sometimes our vision will hit us at the strangest moment and it is like a SMACK on the head from God. As I reflect on the last year, a smile comes to my face when I think about the opportunities I have had with the help of my customers to make a difference.

• Dialysis Bags
• Chemo Comfort Bags
• HERO bags for our troops
• Pamper Kits for new moms
• Random Acts of Kindness with my Give Back With Me Program
• Fundraisers

My BIG dream is to create a non-profit focusing on bringing smiles to the faces of women and children in need.

The truth is “kids are my heart” and anyone who knows me, knows I have been saying it since I first started with the South Jersey AIDS Alliance all those years ago.

I want to be able to use my Thirty One business to CELEBRATE – ENCOURAGE – REWARD kids and their moms who are struggling. Why kids? They didn’t ask to be brought into this world and in most cases have no control over the cards they are dealt. God has a plan for each of them; even those who are struggling. I want to be the light which shines in their life. I want to show them there are people who care. I want to make a difference.

The vision is cast, the goal has been set, now to put a plan together to reach the dream. If it is God’s will, it will happen – in his time, not mine.  I have been casting the vision for two years now, baby steps.

What is your bigger than seems possible (scare the crap out of you) DREAM or VISION? Share it with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

April Showers Bring Thirty One May Flowers

If you are in Jersey, it seems like the dreary days of April are continuing into May but it won’t be long and we will be able to enjoy the wonderful Spring weather….

May is an AMAZING month for so many reasons.  In our house, it is celebration time. First my birthday, then Mother’s Day and we wind up the month with our wedding anniversary.

Things are happening at Thirty One, too!  Our top selling product with over 10 million pieces sold (yes, you read it right!) is on sale.  This versatile product has so many uses, you will need more than just one.  I think we have about 10 in our house and yes, they are all in use during the course of a week.

#1 – Could you use some extra money? Maybe you could pay off some bills? Or pay for the kids summer activities?  Maybe you just need some girl time?  Maybe you are looking for a career change?  Whatever your reason, I would love to help you reach your dream…For just $99, you get over $350 in FREE product.  You get to pick your print option to fit your mood or color palette. PLUS with $600 in orders, every month for the first 4 months, you get to pick ONE of these AWESOME bundles.  That is an additional $600 in FREE product during your first 4 months in our StartSwell program.

#2 – Not sure about starting a business…. how about hosting a girls get together? When was the last time you hung out with the girls without the kids?  Need a break from the craziness of life?  You supply the friends and I will do all of the work….

For just $200 in orders, YOU can have a qualified party. Did you know only 6 orders of $35 will get you a $200 party? I offer home, catalog/online, drinks at a local restaurant and 31-minute Facebook LIVE parties. Which one will fit into YOUR busy schedule

With a $600 party, you get this AMAZING hostess special for just $30…  The pillow alone is worth $50.  Something for everyone during this gift giving season.

#3 –  So maybe you just LOVE to shop? Don’t need any extra money.  Don’t like to hang out with the girls.  BUT you do love a good deal…

So here is the AMAZING Thirty One Customer Special for May – you know the one which sold over 10 million pieces since it was introduced. DRUM ROLL!!!!

The Large utility tote is just $10 with a $35 purchase.  OR the Stand Tall Insert for $15.  Get both of them for $50 (a $90 value).

Did you notice the “new icons” in the flyer?  Well, here they are:

What is even more exciting is Home Office listed to us AND you can get the icon without the word HERO so you can pick your personalization.  I can’t wait to get one for some special people in my life.

So, to sum things up…there are THREE opportunities with Thirty One this summer:

Which opportunity is for you? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Home Business or Hobby?

It is Monday morning and the last week to get Thirty One’s Summer Essential Enrollment Kit to start your own business for just $50.  Are you wondering whether you want to be a true home business owner or just a hobbyist?

The truth is not everyone has the same goals. Some people treat their business as a business and others dabble basically running a fun hobby.  You can do either one which is why direct sales is perfect for everyone.  If you want to truly run a home business which leads to financial success, you need to know the difference between the two!

There are five questions which can help you determine which category you are in – true home business or hobbyist.

1. Do you have a plan of action?

Although having a successful home business can be flexible, you need to have a plan. The plan needs to include what needs to be done and when.  It can also include plans for marketing, knowing your competition, and follow-up.  Customer specials, hostess benefits and company incentives are usually set up by the company so you will just need to include these in your plan when they are announced.  Have a plan on what you are going to do to grow your business?  Contacts?  Parties? Fundraisers?

2. Do you have a schedule?

Remember I said, your business can be flexible?  It is BUT you need to work at your business on a consistent schedule.   Set aside time in your day – EVERY DAY- to work your business in a profit producing way.  Have you scheduled and SHARED your “office hours” with your loved ones and your customers?  Remember working your business doesn’t include reading emails, checking Facebook, blogging, etc – these are all time-consuming activities to help maintain your business.  Working your business ONLY includes actual person-to-person interactions, such as making sales calls, booking parties, setting up recruiting appointments, Hostess Coaching, pink bag calls, etc.

3. Do you have a budgets for your business and are you investing in your business properly?

I struggle with a budget in my business but I am learning to reinvest in my business and myself.  Remember – you must spend money to make money.  I know it is difficult when you want the extra money to pay off debt or for emergencies in the house but your business will not grow when you put zero dollars into building it.  No one “got rich” without some investment.  You invested in the initial Enrollment Kit but it doesn’t end there.  I always tell my team, you are in this to make money – not spend it.  You need decide what to spend, how much and where you are going to spend it so you can grow your business. It doesn’t mean you need every product in the catalog. Things like: business cards, thank you cards, giveaways, etc.  According to the Diva Success System, you should never invest or spend more than $50 per month into your business.

4. Do You know if you ARE making any money? 

The enormous difference between a hobby and a business: Hobbies COST money, Businesses MAKE money. So, do you  KNOW if you are making any money?  I don’t mean, do you have money in you bank account because it only shows what you took in and spent during a given month.  You can use a calculator or a spreadsheet to figure it out.  Let’s look at your last party and see if you made a profit. Look at your expenses  for the party – including gas/mileage, any giveaways or freebies you offered to guests or your hostess.   Once you see your “profit”, look at what you did with the money.  Be honest.

5. Are you investing in your education?

Continuing education is important for business owners as well as in Corporate America. Learn something new- every day. Invest in your education through seminars, courses, and magazines or books. You are investing in yourself, your business success and your future when you take the time to continuously learn. This is a great investment in your greatest business asset … YOU.

I have been working my business for six years, and I will admit, I have fluctuated between hobby and business at times.  My ultimate goal is for a business 24/7 so I have been making changes this year to achieve my goals. You don’t need to do it all at once, take baby steps… Trust me, I get it.  Having tried my own home based business before, it is tempting to play and enjoy your new-found freedom but in order to succeed, you need a solid foundation.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Business Boosters

Things are pretty busy at our house – we are 1 week away from leaving for North Carolina for our daughter’s wedding.  Tonight I am blessed to be able to be with my Thirty One sisters because we are “Better Together”.  It is our bi-monthly meeting/training.  I love being able to share and learn from each of them.

Today, I want to talk about business boosting ideas and some AWESOME tips that I got from Desiree Wolfe.  I LOVE this Rebel Badass Mom-preneur.  We are heading into the busiest selling season of the year when many of us will do 80% of our business.  Consultants that have been quiet for months will want to grab a piece of the action this selling season.  So, here are a few tips to keep you consistently in front of your customers:

1. Post Your Website on EVERYTHING.

Do you list your website on EVERYTHING – return address labels, signatures in your emails, or business cards in your bill payments if you use snail mail? Is it on every social media site you are on?  If not, you are loosing business.  Consistently driving traffic to your website will increase your visibility and your business.

2. Update your website regularly.

I know you are wondering what to do if you are in direct sales and have a company website, right?  Update your bio on the website, share other links, update your social media profiles, and maybe even write a blog.

3. Participate on other websites and blogs.

Now, this does not mean post your monthly sales or plead for business/recruits.  Engage in conversation that will get your name out there. Use a tag line that when they hear it, they will immediately think of you.  Mine is “Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!”.  Working on one so that I can use my name as an acronym.  Any suggestions?

4. Participate in Charity events.

This is my FAVORITE thing to do.  Be a sponsor and advertise.  Give back a percentage of your sales to the event.  Volunteer your time and be a walking billboard for your products.

5. Create partnerships with other business owners

This is a great way for you BOTH to expand your circle of contacts.  Place a fish bowl to collect cards at a local business.  Hold a joint event (mini vendor event) with other consultants or business owners.

6. Run a contest right on your website.

I do this on my VIP customer group but with a canned direct sales website, this one is tough.  We need to be creative to ensure that the word is spreading beyond your normal circle.  Maybe start a #hashtag that is just yours.  Share it on social media but encourage people to visit the website or answer a mini survey to enter.  I am looking for suggestions for this, share your best tip.

7. Share resources.

If you found a cool site that your audience might benefit from share it. Or maybe you purchased a really awesome gadget. Share the link or even give away a copy in a contest.  I do this on my blog with my Saturday Spotlight.  It is a great way to expand your circle.

8. Be Yourself.

I think this one goes without saying.  When you are genuine in your marketing and your business you’ll attract customers who want to do business with you.

For the complete article, check out Desiree’s blog.  Marketing your business doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  Consistency will pay off.  I had someone local request a catalog this week – a friend of a friend.  When I stopped by to drop off the catalog, she said “I knew to reach out to you because I see your face & name everywhere.  You have been doing this a LONG time”  I share and don’t sell.  No pleading for business just sharing the specials and the opportunity in a non-sales way.

So, what is your favorite way of spreading the word about your business? Share your tips with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!