Your Herd

 “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” Proverbs 27:23

I have been doing some work this week on my vision and mission statements which I will share next week.  In the midst of that I have been giving a lot of thought to my team, my customers and my family.

Have you ever created a program or an idea for your business and it was a flop?  Okay, I will admit that I have had my share of flops.  In my days of being a program person in the non-profit arena creating a program was fun and exciting.  There were some that weren’t very successful.  The same thing has happened when I have copied ideas from other consultants – some worked and some didn’t.  It always took some reflection to figure out what caused the flops versus what was the reason for the successes.

The bottom line was always – I didn’t know my “herd”.  I didn’t pay attention to my current market of customers or my team or even in some cases my family.  I thought I knew best.  I thought I could do it alone.  I thought everyone would love it because I did.  Well, we know how that works, right?  Now, I am not saying that we need to please everyone, all of the time.  What I am saying is that we need to have a hand on the pulse of what is happening not only in their lives but also within the community.

Jesus sought to meet the needs of His customers by ministering to their needs as His Heavenly Father revealed them to Him.  He could not meet their real need for salvation until he met their basic physical needs.  Once he was able to meet the physical need, He could reveal the true need they had.

Some of your “customers” have a perceived need for your product. But they also have a spiritual need they may not realize they have.  How often have we heard, “my friends don’t have any extra money to spend” or “I have no time for a party” or “I need a real job” or “the products are too expensive”?  Our customers have already set their fears in motion and as a result the walls are up to prevent us from booking, selling or even recruiting.

It has always been my goal to change the perception that people have about direct sales.  I don’t want to be that “pushy salesperson”.  I want to be the person who helps them come up with a solution to their current problem.

Maybe their budget won’t allow to shop BUT they can gather a few friends for a night out.  Maybe they have a financial need AND you are able to show them how we can do some fundraising for them.   Maybe they don’t think they have enough friends to have a party BUT you work together to have a small successful party.  Maybe she really needs an additional income and she has no time BUT you can show her how she can make money while out and about doing their every day work and errands.

The bottom line is that you need to meet your “herd” where they are at, focusing on what they need NOT what is in it for you.

God wants to use us to meet both needs – physical and spiritual.  That’s why it is important for you to know your customer.

Do you know YOUR customers?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

September is for Redeem-Her

Happy Saturday!  For many this is a LONG weekend as we celebrate Labor Day.  For some it is the last taste of summer – either the kids have already gone back to school or they head back this week.  I have to be honest – growing up on the Jersey shore, I longed for this weekend.  It meant the return to normalcy or at least a little less traffic and a few less shoobies.

 

I am excited to announce that this month is dedicated to Redeem-Her.  I will write them a check for 10% of my total sales for the month, including fundraisers.  So it is a double win for the fundraising group AND Redeem-Her.  I am inspired by the work that they are doing in making a difference in the lives of women who others have given up on.

Redeem-Her successfully transitions women recently released from prison,jail and drug rebab to become valued and contributing members of society.

Redeem-Her, a non-profit organization founded and operated by formerly incarcerated women, provides a safe, sober, supportive environment that is enhanced by positive role models who meet the tangible needs of clients.

Redeem-Her employs a model emphasizing that positive opportunities can transform the lives of women to become responsible, generous members of society.

So, how can you help?  Check out Thirty One’s September Hostess and Customer special. There are THREE opportunities in September to help this AWESOME cause:

Want to be a hostess?

Thank you to Christina’s Creations for the visual. For just $200 in orders, YOU can have a qualified party. Did you know that was only 6 orders of $35? I offer home, catalog/online, on the go and Facebook parties. Which one will fit into YOUR busy schedule?

Do you just LOVE to shop?

Thirty One’s Customer Special for September is the Deluxe Utility Tote – a top 10 product for $15 or the Double Up Crossbody – a NEW Fall product for $10 with a $35 purchase.  Spend $70 and you can get BOTH of them for $25.

 

 

The third option is to EARN money. Want to join my team?

So, there are THREE opportunities with Thirty One this summer:

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

First Official Walk

I met some of the AWESOME volunteers from Rescue Ridge at my JOB!  Here is the 411 on the work that they do:

Rescue Ridge is funded entirely through donations and fundraising efforts. All of the care and adoptions of our animals are handled by volunteers – from socializing and re-training, to grooming and walking, to transporting to veterinary appointments, to the development of adoption events and fundraisers. Our animals come to us in many ways. Some we rescue from shelters. Others have been abandoned and are found roaming the streets. Some of our animals are owner surrenders. No animal is ever refused because of breed, age, health or behavior issues. Many are boarded in local kennels and others live in temporary foster homes. We also offer a unique alternative for owners needing to re-home their pets. The pet continues to live with its owner while we help find a new home. The pet is less stressed and the owner can be involved in the adoption process. Some of our animals come to us with medical or behavior issues which are addressed before they are placed up for adoption.

Being a part of this event is SO far out of my comfort zone.  Yes, I like to go for walks.  Yes, I love to support AWESOME causes.  But a tutu!? Some would say it sounds right up my alley as long as it is PINK!  Believe it or not, I am a little shy.  Okay, you can stop laughing.  Yes, I do home parties.  Yes, I love to meet new people. BUT, my comfort zone is being home with my honey or with my family.

I am walking the fur grand-babies who are patiently waiting for their forever home. I have 3 grand fur babies who were rescued and would take more if we had the space. No donation is ever to small & thank you in advance for help us meet our goal! Zoe, Turner and Mucca says thank you too!

If you want to register and join me (and the Charlie’s Angels team), click HERE.  If you just want to support my efforts, click HERE.  Every little bit helps.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

A Women with a Vision

When you started your journey in direct sales, did you have a vision or dream?  Maybe you wanted to quit your JOB.  Maybe you wanted to pay off debt.  Maybe you wanted some ME time.  Maybe you wanted to travel.  Maybe you wanted to do fundraisers.  Think about it for a moment, what was the FIRST reason that you joined your direct sales company.

For me, 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.  Somewhere along the way, I tend to venture off that course.  Here is my “why” that I wrote just 6 months ago:

I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to help women plan their first party in their home after a messy divorce. I want to make people smile when they are down with my silly happy mail. I want to help raise funds for that family that just can’t afford to pay for their child’s extra activities.

Most say that our “why” is what motivates us towards our vision. It is the emotional connection that you have every day with why you are doing what you are doing. For some this takes time to find – I can attest to that. For others, it is very easy.

Sometimes our vision will hit us at the strangest moment and it is like a SMACK on the head from God.  Last week, I did a radio interview to talk about my FIGHT HUNGER Campaign giving thermal lunch totes to homeless kids for Back to School.  As I talked about the campaign, there was an explosion inside me, a passion to do something, something that others may think is crazy, that is so far beyond my reach that it will truly take faith and trust in God to accomplish.

I want to create a non-profit that focuses on bringing smiles to the faces of women and children in need.  

I know that sounds very general, right?  The truth is “kids are my heart” and anyone that knows me, knows that I have been saying that 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.  I want to start with the kids because they didn’t ask to be brought into this world and in most cases have no control over the cards that they are dealt.  God has a plan for each of them;  even those who are struggling. I want to be the light that shines in their life.  I want to show them that there are people who care.  I want to make a  difference in their life.

The vision is cast, the goal has been set, now the plan is being made to reach that dream.  If it is God’s will, it will happen – in his time, not mine.

What is your bigger than seems possible DREAM or VISION? Share it with us.

 

 

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

 

Back to School?!?

We are on the tail end of this month’s “giving back” program – FIGHT HUNGER Campaign.  We did chemo comfort bags and zipper pouches for our soldiers. We raised money for Smiles for Trevor and Relay for Life and we have helped families. When I began my journey with Thirty One, I wanted to make a difference in the lives women and families and you are helping me do it!  Because of YOU, my AMAZING customers, hostesses, family and friends – we are making a difference.

Okay, so I am sure you can guess where this is leading…. YOU GOT IT – we need more sponsors.  Word got out and I have had more requests than I currently have sponsors for so I am putting out a plea for YOUR help.  BREAKING NEWS:  We are teaming up with Haven/Beat the Streets in Ocean County to bring a smile to the kids who are living in motels/ shelters.  I am so excited about this joint effort.

So, here is what is happening:

I am providing THERMAL LUNCH TOTES to children who are currently homeless – living in motels.  I will be using my commission to fill the thermals with some healthy snacks along with tips on inexpensive ideas for healthy lunches. I mean let’s be honest, the FREE lunch program doesn’t always have foods that kids eat.  No hate mail PLEASE because I know that there are some places that have great meals but let’s be honest, not all of them do.

So, for $20, you can sponsor a thermal tote filled with healthy snacks for a child in need. If finances are tight and you can’t donate, maybe you know a business that may want to help, GREAT! Let me know or forward this information to them. I will supply a list of business sponsors in every thermal tote along with blogging about them – FREE advertising for helping out a great cause. Where else could they get FREE advertising for $20?

Won’t you help to make a difference today? You can fill out the form below or contact me directly. I will be happy to invoice you. Let’s bring a smile to the face of as many children as we can this school year. The deadline is July 9th!

Have ThirtyOne-derful day!

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