Life's Laundry

Go on....Check It Out

It takes a few days for the promotions to become "official."  An executive panel does an audit of your unit and sales totals and recruiting during the Director In Qualification (DIQ) process.  Once this approval is passed down, the new Director gets the "official phone call" and a few bits of directions - then a few days later, they update the web page to reflect the new position.

The web page change occurred on Tuesday of this week.  I've clicked on it a few times just to look and make sure it's there.  I've changed my business email signature to reflect the new title.  More importantly, I've committed to continue to grow and not just use the title as a crutch.  I'm walking the walk.

I am also giddy with pleasure and pride at what I've been able to accomplish along with the women that I've surrounded myself with. It REALLY is true that Together Everyone Achieves More.

Go on........go on over and check out my new title.  It's in the upper right hand corner of the new page.  Go on....Celebrate with me and see it for yourself.

BeautiControl - The Smart Company (TM)

For those who want to learn more about our company, click here.

You'll find our newest business presentation to help women learn more about our company and the opportunities we offer.

What's In a Name?

Seventeen years ago when I joined BeautiControl, we were a head to toe "image company" and called ourselves BeautiControl Cosmetics.  I've seen some changes in my days with the company including dropping the cosmetics part.  Even though we still have a Beauti line - I haven't used the word cosmetics in my business title in years. Now we are simply called BeautiControl - SkinCare, Spa & Beauti.  Our new trademark is BeautiControl - The Smart Company for Smart Women (TM). We don't use the word cosmetics anymore with our business.

Not so with my hubby.  He still calls it BeautiControl Cosmetics - and I know he's doing it out of habit.  His late wife was with the company when they called it by cosmetics. Sometimes he will say, "her cosmetic's business" when telling other people about what I do.  I've gently reminded him several times that this reference is old and limiting but he's yet been able to commit that to memory. Our primary focus is skincare and spa.  He's a bit slow to get on board with the new concept even though it's been 6 years.

We had the conversation again yesterday :(
I hate it when he can't remember stuff and even though I'm absolutely positive that he doesn't do it on purpose - it's difficult to be patient when the small things matter.  But we press on.....

I've been really fine tuning my 30 second commercial the past two days and wanted to have one for him to memorize and use as well.  He asked for it after our conversation (which was civil).  So here's his commercial: 

When someone ask, "What does your wife do?"

He can reply:

"She owns her own mobile spa business with a company called BeautiControl. She helps women relax, renew and prosper with spa treatments in the home or workplace with sessions called Spa Escapes.  She leads a growing TEAM of women who want to earn additional income, have a career, or get their products at a deep discount.  Which of those interest you the most?"

When something interest a woman, he's to gather her name/phone#/email address and tell her that she will hear from me within 36 hours. Then he's supposed to bring that information to me so I can contact her.

He's got it printed out and posted by his desk as well as a small card in his wallet.  He's trying and for that I am grateful.   I am MORE than grateful. What you say to people is important.  How you present an idea or concept is important.  This will help him help me. His main thing is to not refer to my company as a cosmetic's company anymore and to gather that name/contact information.

Since I'm in this growth period and since I'm having several people every day call our house relating to my business - I wanted to make sure that he's trained in the most effective way to promote my business and handle the calls that will continue to come.

Answering the phone and having someone ask for me and then just telling them that I'm not here won't work anymore.  People get busy and forget and we can't always depend on someone to 'call us back.' The most effective way of answering the phone is to say "hello" and when someone ask for me (regardless if I am home or not) is to say, "May I ask who is calling?".  If I'm home, announce the person to me and if I'm not, then write that name down immediately before you ever say another word.  If I'm not home, then say, "she's out of the office right now but I'll be happy to pass on your message and tell her that you called  What's your call back #?."  Most of the time my clients will either leave an order or a message.  Sometimes they will say, "I'll just call back."  I still want that name.  It's the ONLY way I have of knowing what the next step should be for me and my customer care. The number of calls and clients has grown so much that I can't track people by their phone number anymore on caller ID.  I've got to have a name.  I've had people inquiring about my Spa at Work programs who I've never met and if I don't have that information and they never got around to calling back - they'd be lost to me forever.  I need a way to follow up. 

This goes for the consultants in my unit too. I take my support and coach role with these women (and a few good men hopefully soon) very seriously.  My greatest pleasure in this business comes from helping other people achieve their goals and dreams.  When someone calls with a question or inquiry about our income opportunity - I want to know about it so I can follow up.

There's a lot in a name.....but you gotta have that name before you can do anything with it.

Information Overload

One of the best things about attending a national convention is all the information that you get access to.

One of the most challenging things about attending a national convention is figuring out what information you are going to use and what you will store away for a later time.

It can be very overwhelming, especially for someone who is attending for the first time.

The mind is racing and ready but the body is so, very, tired.

On the way from the airport terminal on Sunday evening, while we were taking my consultant to her car - she was commenting about how exhausted she was.  When Big Brother asked what exhausted meant and she said, "It means very tired", he replied in all his wisdom....

"When I get tired, I just lay down."

Seems pretty basic and simple to me, right? :)

Difficult

This came from a friend of mine.  I do not know who authored this so I'm not able to give credit.  The message is very direct and thought provoking.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lately, I have heard so many people say how difficult direct sales is. "Its hard." "I can't get bookings." "This just isn't for me." "I didn't know how difficult it would be."

Well, I am a single mom of three who, before joining the direct sales family, held down two jobs. I would get up at 4:00 in the morning and not get to bed until midnight most nights, after returning from my part-time retail job, packing lunches, checking homework and relieving my mother, who helped out with the kids.

That, my friends, is difficult.

It is difficult always having to lower your dreams to meet your means. It is difficult to miss your son's football game because you have to work. It is difficult knowing the rust bucket you call a car is eating you alive in maintenance, but you can't afford a new one. It is difficult to realize that someone else is going to watch your daughter take her first step or have your son say "mama" to the preschool teacher.

It is difficult knowing that you have spent 40 years of your life working for someone else, only to realize that you will be retiring on one-third of what you can live on today. Or, worse yet, it is difficult knowing that you have diligently worked all your life, only to be given an early retirement and replaced by someone younger, more capable.

I will tell you what is difficult. It is difficult waking up one morning and realizing that your children, the most precious things imaginable, no longer need bottles, diapers, have tea parties, or are shorter than the baseball bat they are trying to swing. It is difficult realizing it is too late and that the time frittered away can never be retrieved. It slips through our fingers one second at a time.

It is also difficult watching the spark in your partner's eyes fade because both of you realize the house you have been wanting is just a dream because someone else is controlling your finances.

We have nasty habits about rationalizing, procrastination and skirting important things, rather than facing the issues. Too often we allow others who do not pay our bills, who do not share our dreams, to direct our futures.

As children we have absolutely no freedom; we rebel in our teens and scream for freedom. We reach adulthood and are finally free, only to relinquish that freedom because we think it is too difficult. We do not want to take responsibility. We do not want to make a wrong decision, so we obligingly give that awesome power to someone else. We wake up too late. We hear ourselves uttering phrases like: "I wish I had only . . ." and "If I could do it over again."

You have no one but yourself to blame. You had the chance. Perhaps the opportunity was presented many times and each time you elevated the trivial to a higher priority than yourself.

Let me ask you: Is direct sales really difficult?

Is it so traumatic to show someone an exciting product or idea? Is it so difficult to understand that if you work this marketing idea for three to five years, you just might finally be able to send your children to a college chosen by excellence, rather than one chosen by price? That you could finally put your family in the home of their dreams?

Would you work really hard for eight to ten years, so you could mold a lifestyle of your choosing, so your family could live a lifestyle of their dreams, rather than trying to live how someone else thinks you should live?

How difficult is it to pick up the phone and call your hostess? How difficult is it to pack up your kit and meet some new friends? How difficult is it, really, to share what you love with others? Think about it.

Realize the awesome power you have in your hands with direct sales. There are people out there working three jobs. There are people drowning in debt; or agonizing through bankruptcy, realizing they only needed a couple hundred more dollars per month. That is difficult!

This business you have chosen has the ability to change lives. Direct sales cannot do anything. But YOU can change lives with it. You are the one with the life-changing ability. What are you waiting for?

There is difficulty and pain in success, and there is difficulty and pain in failure. Difficulty and pain in success will last a short period of time; but pain in failure lasts a lifetime. Which one is really more difficult?

You will pay a price for your actions, and your choices. Which choice will you make?

Luxuries Of The Sea

Here's a sneak peak of our new Spa Line.....

If you'd like to learn more about this collection, click here.

If you'd like to sample this line, contact me and I'll send a treatment pack to you.

Highlights from Celebration 2006

	Here are some points/thoughts that I've brought home with me that I believe are powerful. 1) Stress can be a fact of life but if doesn't have to be a way of life. 2) Get up every morning expecting God's favor.  We all face challenges but the difference between those who make it and those who dont is that those who do find a solution instead of giving up or giving in. 3) Someone who wants milk should not sit on a stool in the middle of a field and hope that a cow will back up to them. (relate that to your business and your life) 4) Be a commercial for your product line.  MRP, Spa & Beauti.  If you are using/selling another product line, you aren't placing yourself in the best position to realize the maximum benefits of BeautiControl. 5) Our skincare is for "everyone who wants to experience a difference in their skin." 6) Anyone who has a spouse, job or children can benefit from a Spa experience. 7) An attitude change is the first way to affect your business performance.  Setting goals is next.  Action plan is next.  Activity is next.  Momentum comes AFTER these other things have taken place. 8) EVERY woman (and a few good men) can create the life they love with BeautiControl. 9) Desire, discipline and determination will get you where you want to go. 10) Do what you HAVE to do today so that you can do what you WANT to do for the rest of your life. Those are just 10 that I share with you today.  No matter where you are today - My hope is that you will experience a moment in the next day or two where your heart will tell you that it's time to take the next step.

 

The Dash

Click here for something profoundly powerful.

Enjoy.

The Rewards of Sharing With Others

I received my diamond hoop earrings by overnight express on Thursday of last week.

They are B E A U T I F U L and I'm so happy to finally have them. The diamonds are real and total about one half ct.

The above logo was from the promotion. We needed to share the opportunity with 4 other people in May and June. I did that and now I am the proud owner of the diamond earrings.

I guess you might like to see a pic of the earrings, huh?

And here's one of the matching lawn chairs that I received for another promo for sales/recruiting. 

Big Brother and Little Sister have been arguing and fussing over who gets to sit in it when.....I must admit that they are V. comfortable to sit in and each arm rest has it's own cup holder.  There is also a roomy mesh pocket that covers the whole back side of the chair.  Each chair comes with it's own carrying case - durable canvas and shoulder strap.

I love earning stuff like this.  It's just something tangible for the effort that I put forth.  The real blessings come in helping other women realize their dreams and live the lives they love - nothing compares to that feeling.

I'm still waiting on a waffle weave bath robe.

Hope you guys and gals are staying cool and comfy - and life is treating you well.