Friday Post Roundup: Week Two

This week was a slow one...lots going on around here! But I am looking forward to using Country Club on my nails tomorrow during some girl time! :)

Journal Entries
When I don't feel motivated...

Other links...
Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers. This very interesting article discusses the links between some major health problems and nail products; it made me very glad that I don't routinely get my nails done in salons and glad that Jamberry uses safe ingredients in their wraps and lacquers. I'm interested to see what further research brings to light about nail products.

When I don't feel motivated...

Every time I feel unmotivated I have to remind myself of the reasons why I'm doing this...

1. I want to be a support to Alex and give him more time to pursue the things he enjoys.
2. I don't just want my boys to remember that I worked hard when they were little, but I want them to remember that I worked hard at something that brought me joy...that did not revolve around them, but that helped me enjoy being with them all day, every day.

So when I'm not feeling particularly motivated, I take the next opportunity I have to spend an hour working on the business. And it consistently surprises me that something usually happens. A party booking, a sale, or even just an encouraging conversation with someone...I always (so far) end the hour thinking, "okay, I can do this". And, I have to say, it's great to have consistent encouragement in this business.

Friday Post Roundup: Week One

Each Friday I'll post a roundup of posts I've written that week, just in case anyone misses any, as well as a few links to other posts I found useful and helpful on the topic of owning a business and direct sales. And it wouldn't be quite the same kind of Friday if I didn't share my favorite Jamicure of the week, either. :)

This week was a little bit of a slow start for the blog, given the two little crazies running around and Mama being in serious "clean out" mode.

The Jam Journal Roundup
Getting Started: Two Months In
A big (little) achievement
What to ask, where to look: tips for before you start a direct sales business.

The May Sister's Style Exclusive: "May Flowers"

Other links...
The best and worst times to post to social media.

What to ask, where to look: tips for before you start a direct sales business.

Believe it or not, Jamberry is not my first experience with direct sales, and I did not jump in as soon I discovered it and got excited about the company. My first experience, while fun at first, was with products that were more expensive, required more book keeping and business savvy from me, and did not have an online component. While it was marketed as "work from home", I reached the point quickly where I had gone through my list of family and friends, had lost money, and needed to start making cold calls and doing quite a bit of out-of-home networking to keep it going. If I wanted to work outside the home, I would have remained a teacher and hired a babysitter, so I knew that I wanted to resign from that particular company. Plus, I didn't really enjoy the products anymore, which is one of the most important rules about direct sales: you have to love the product if you expect to sell it.

Direct sales, though, still remained a good option, if only I could find a company that would allow me to truly work from home. Enter (for me), Jamberry Nails. With the option of online parties and networking it allows me to run a business truly from home, and the few parties I have scheduled at friends' houses I can schedule at a time when my husband is home to watch the boys. This online option was what first attracted me to the company, and here are a few more things I made sure to research and find out before joining. Note: I spent about 4 months researching before beginning.

1. How much will it take to start? If you're required to invest more than a couple hundred dollars to start a direct sales business, I would seriously question the product and company. It does not take a lot to get going; my total start-up costs (before I made any money back) was $195.97. This included the starter kit and business supplies.
2. Do I have the cash to invest? I made the mistake with the first company of putting all my start up costs on a credit card...and guess who was paying interest when I didn't make it back right away? This time I waited and saved and invested with cash. That way, even if I didn't make it back, I wouldn't be putting the family further into debt. As it turns out, I made back my initial investment and started turning a profit in the first two months...and the profit went toward groceries, not credit card interest.
3. How new and popular is the company? It's good to get a feel for how well known a particular company is in your area, especially if you are planning on running your business off-line. I asked around and found that while there are a few consultants in my area, many people either hadn't heard of Jamberry or didn't know anyone who sold it...as opposed to other, older direct sales companies who have hundreds, if not thousands, of consultants in one area. Another reason to know how new the company is, is the get a feel for whether they'll last. Most direct sales companies fold within the first couple of years, so you want to make sure a company is established enough to give you at least a small profit and good experience.
4. What do the customers (i.e., most important people) say about it? One thing I did was google reviews of the company. I read blog reviews, watched video reviews, and even searched whether there had been any lawsuits against the company. I wanted to make sure that I was signing up to sell a product that was good quality and most people enjoyed, as well as sign up under a company that is in good standing in the business world for their product, ethics, and history. I also wanted to know the history of the company and see if I could find any reason why I would have a problem representing them.
5. Will you get a good response from family and friends? A couple of months before I joined I put out feelers with family and friends to see whether I would have support and interest from them. These people (especially my husband) are the ones who will stick with me, and if any of them had told me they couldn't support the decision or thought it was really unwise, I would have seriously reconsidered. As it turned out, many family members love the product and have hosted parties for me, helping me get started and get more bookings to get going. They are a large part of why my first couple of months were so successful.
6. Give it some time for the excitement to wear off. This sounds backwards...let me explain. Part of the reason so many people quit their direct sales businesses, in my opinion, is because they join when they first get excited, or in other words, emotional. I waited about 4 months not only to do all my research, but also to see if the excitement would wear off and if I'd "get over" what might be just a phase. While I did calm down a little, I didn't stop enjoying the product, didn't stop thinking of questions for my sponsors, and didn't want to stop researching. I stayed interested enough and excited enough during that time to say, "this isn't just a phase; I really want to do this". I recommend a little time for everyone, no matter what goal I as a sponsor might want to reach, everyone needs to be 100% sure that a direct sales business is a good choice and not just en emotional decision. I was really excited to join Jamberry and start my business and that definitely contributed to my first successes...but that was excitement that stuck around for awhile, proving itself against time and distraction by other things.

In summary, there are a lot of good things you can do to get yourself ready; to make 100% sure that this is something you want to do. I'm going to post later about my "personal rules" as a sales consultant, but for now, encouraging people to make sure they're truly committed to their effort is a priority. No one likes to be "that person"...the one who is flaky and goes through so many phases and hobbies before settling on something that really "clicks", and I believe that a little time and a lot of research help avoid that situation.

A big (little) achievement.

When me and Alex decided on my goals in my first few months with Jamberry, the number one goal was to pay off my starter expenses. We were willing and half-expecting it to take awhile, so were both pleasantly surprised that it only took the first two months.

Then, last night, when my team manager announced that I had top sales for April, I actually got a little teary eyed. When I told Alex he gave me a big smile and a hug.

Now, I experience little successes every day with my kids...it's not like I have no success in life. But to have a new business be that successful, and right off the bat like that, kind of blew me away. I have never gotten that kind of recognition for an achievement like this before.

It's like winning a spelling bee or receiving a gold medal for something...as a home schooler, my experiences like that were few and far between (and none, actually, come to mind right now).

It's definitely the most encouraging, motivating thing that has happened in my business...so far.

Getting Started: Two Months In

I feel like I killed it my first two months. I contacted probably 50+ people, posted in online groups, and sent out tons of samples. I had a party every weekend in April, a couple of them totally dead, and still made back my start up costs.

Then, the last week of April, I re-scheduled a party and took a little "slump breather". I was tired, and we had a crazy busy family schedule that week, so Jamberry took a far-back burner. It seemed a little silly to just completely ignore the business for a few days, but I was able to come back at it last night with a great "power hour" and get ready for May parties (at least one every weekend already booked!).

So even though this is my first Friday without a paycheck...there is so much to look forward to. And I guess that is my first piece of advice, two months in: hit it hard at first, when you're motivated. When you need a few days off, take them; you can, because it's your business. And then pick up where you left off...hitting it hard again!

I'm gearing up for a few helpful, informative posts detailing some things I've learned these first couple of months. Here is the list I have so far:

What to ask, where to look: before you start this business.

Who wants a sample? Where to look for interest.

Treating customers like queens (and keeping track of them!).

My booking tips: filling the calendar.

Personal "rules" as a consultant.

Financial management 101 with a new business.

Let me know if there are any requests for topics or questions! And...check out the "About" page for more info! :)