Trying New Things

Larry learning something new - How to do the Zipline!

So, as I was attempting to learn how to do this blog and the videos/pictures I was reminded of how many tasks we all have to learn all the time.  Some are easier than others for sure but no one landed on this earth knowing how to do a thing - well, except cry perhaps!  Think of all the things you've learned - someone taught you perhaps and in some cases you taught yourself.  You learned by trial and error - making mistakes and then figuring it out!  Over and over again!  And it worked out pretty good, didn't it!  :-)

I was looking for a picture of me dancing but I guess no one took one!  :-)  That's something I do not know how to do but a few months ago I made up my mind to take some lessons.  Was I scared, uneasy, embarrassed, wondering about looking foolish........YES and a lot more things too!  I just decided I had to push through it because I've always wanted to dance but just didn't get started and have the courage to do it.

Now, I think of all the consultants who say they can't do a Spa because they don't know how to do one.  This is like everything else in our life - we need to ask someone to teach us or maybe you're like me and will have to figure it out by yourself and be the pioneer! 

I say that because there wasn't anyone doing BeautiControl where I lived.  Faye recruited me but she lived 3 hours away so it was up to me to figure it out.  Of course she called and supported me and I did have a consultant guide  and a phone and that was it.  I didn't have any friends or family and I had just moved to St. Louis and didn't really know anyone.

Was I scared?  Oh YES!  Did I worry about failing?  YES!  I just decided I had to try anyway and so I started out first with a couple of friends who I knew would love me anyway.  Also I picked two people that I knew didn't have any money and couldn't afford anything but I knew it would give me practice.  That's how I got started.  Practicing on someone and they didn't mind at all. 

From there I got some leads from a woman's show and I just went after it.  I figured out early on that they didn't know what my agenda was supposed to be anyway so they wouldn't really know if I left anything out!  Oh, there was that time where I washed someone's face with moisturizer and moisturized it with cleanser.  I just laughed, made fun of myself and said "let's do that all over - you'll have a clean face tonight for sure".  And you know what - they laughed with me and it didn't matter at all.

Don't let those kinds of things worry you.  Whatever career or job you have now - at home or at a business - you weren't perfect at it when you started it and you won't be perfect at doing a Spa.  But if you care about the people you're doing it for and you really want the women to have fun and enjoy themselves then it will all work out.  People aren't looking for perfection - they're looking for loving, accepting people who are down to earth and real! We can all do that! 

Today, don't worry about being perfect, having it all together.  Worry about the women that you've overlooked and forgot to show love and acceptance to.  Worry about who may have needed this career and you didn't share because you were worried about your own performance.  STOP!!  WORRY DOESN'T HELP ANYTHING!!.  It doesn't help you get better, it doesn't help you love!  But Action does!  ACTION SETS YOU FREE!!  And this little quote popped up on my Google site today: 

Everyone who got to where they are

had to begin where they were."
- Richard Paul Evans

Let's begin right where we are TODAY!!

FUN at Celebration!!

It's taken me weeks to figure out how to post this video.  If it works I want you to post a comment and let me know.  I've been trying to figure out videos, pictures, and all kinds of technology so bare with me.  If this works, I wonder what else we could do. 

As you can see we have FUN at Celebration!  And isn't it about time!  We've all been too gloomy too long!  Yes, there are hard times, yes, the economy has been challenging but there are many wonderful things to be happy about and we should always celebrate those!!  So, play this tune and get up from your computer and do a little dance!  Laugh a bit and take a moment to breathe and enjoy life today!!  I'll be back here soon to post more news.  In the meantime THIS IS A TEST!    Wishing you love and fun!!

Girlfriends and Teamwork!

Teamwork! We just had an incredible meeting in St. Louis with guests Albert Bosch, President of BeautiControl, Charla Gervers, Regional Vice President, and Barbara Ward, Platinum Sr. National Director.

We came together as one big family of BC sisters....and brothers! We did not wear our titles or even use them - we were there together as girlfriends to welcome guests to take a look at our company! We had a blast and in spite of many little problems, it was one of the best meetings we have ever had.

When I say problems here's what I mean. One shipment with literature didn't show up. The temperature outside was terrible and then the air conditioning went out in the meeting room just when we were to start. We had so many guests that we had to do a Target run for more gift bags. Little technical difficulties getting the mike and computer right.

BUT the real testimony to how successful this meeting was is that no one got upset, no one left in spite of the heat. Everyone just seemed to want to be there and had fun and enjoyed hearing everyone share about this incredible company. None of the issues got to be BIG issues. Everyone joined together, stepped up to the plate in solving issues and made it a fabulous evening. IT WAS ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK.....AND SISTERHOOD!

We had 5 wonderful product stations near the registration area where for 45 minutes guests could take a look and sample our products. Then they were welcomed into the meeting room to hear several consultants, and guests Charla Gervers, Barbara Ward and Albert Bosch speak for a few minutes about who we are and what we offer to everyone. Several consultants gave short 3 minute talks on what it mean to them to be with BeautiControl.

The room was filled to standing room only! 204 people jammed into that very hot room! There were over 50 guests who came to check us out.

We are collecting results from that meeting but in my book it was wildly successful all around.
Guests loved it, had fun, tried our products, received a gift for coming and the WHO Foundation was $600 richer before the night was over!! We know that spas were booked and people joined us in this career. More people know BeautiControl and they saw a "rockin" team spirit in the place! Consultants and Directors worked side by side, no matter whose team they were on and they made this meeting a fun and happening place.

There is nothing better than BC Sisterhood and TEAMWORK!!

Today is the day to invite someone to join you on this journey and let them experience what we get to enjoy every day....fabulous company, products, career path, friendships, support, incredible gifts and travel.....too many things to mention. We should never keep this just to ourselves - we need to spread the word.

Grab a BC girlfriend's hand and go share the news!

WOW!!!

What else can you say? These words like "awesome, amazing, fabulous" are getting old but CELEBRATION 2010 was all those and more!!

Here I am, 23 years in the business and I can still get so excited about this company! How many people can say they get really excited and energized at their job after so many years!

There are so many enhancements to our company.....the re-branding, the new literature and products....then the new promotion for Ceasar's Palace in Vegas....the low joining fee for new people.....more streamlined programs, more systems that makes it easier to do your business.......WOW!! They continually amaze me and WOW me!

Did you ever have so much good news and so many blessings and so many exciting things at one time that you just can't stand it!! :-) Well, that's about where I am! I just want to tell everyone what's going on and share with them what an amazing company and amazing people we have in this business!

St. Louis is SO fortunate to have President Albert Bosch come to see us on August 12th! He will be at the Holiday Inn, South Lindberg next Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Come and meet Albert, meet the BeautiControl family......be part of something that is so big and really making a difference in people's lives.

Did you know that St. Louis is the 3rd largest recruiting city in the US and also the area where there is the hottest growth potential! If you want to expand your business St. Louis is a great place to be right now. But that doesn't mean there isn't a ton of potential everywhere! Be the pioneer in your area that starts it all!! Grow your city......share what BeautiControl is all about. Beautiful Skin....Beautiful Life!!

We've done amazing things these past 25 or 30 years but I believe BeautiControl is on the brink of some incredible growth. Be a part of it. Share in it. Choose today to hop on the train - don't sit and watch it go by!! Call me if you want help! Let's give away the Freedom, Joy and Fun that BeautiControl has to offer.

BC Offers are the best!

We have so much going on this month between the "up to 60% off" plus the discounted cases. I have especially been enjoying the 60% off and getting some of those products stocked up. Those large hand cremes that we can't live without for less than $4.00. That's a Wow for sure!

I sell a lot of the Wet/Dry and who can resist stocking up on that when it's about $4! You can sell it for $21 and make a HUGE profit or reduce the price and offer your client a sale and still make a great profit.

If you haven't noticed, every month there is something on sale. The way to be the most profitable is to purchse the products when they are on sale. Seems rather obvious but a lot of people just don't pay attention to the sales and miss this opportunity.

Many consultants want to get that 50% but aren't yet a VIP and yet with these sales you can get your 50% and more if you just plan your ordering based on the sales each month. Of course there are those great free gifts they offer too as well as the BOGO sales and Hostess gifts.

Since they've been offering the free gifts or Buy One/Get One I have set aside a container and I put all those items in that. Then when I'm looking for a free gift for a client or a gift with purchase or even just want to surprise someone with a product gift on their birthday, then that's the go-to box! How exciting to be able to give someone a $20-$60 gift and it costs you nothing. You can provide a lot of good will and good customer service if you take advantage of those special offers. Remember - that was one of our Keep It Simple things - Good Customer Service! Did anyone offer you that today?

Keep It Simple!

I'm getting very excited about attending Celebration next week. After reading Gary's recent blog on Celebration I'm wondering what they are going to be doing next. Whatever it is I know they will make it fun and exciting. Since our new President came on board I never know what to expect at these meetings. In the old days I knew most of what would happen before it actually happened but now there are surprises all the time.

Several of us are using Celebration as the beginning of our Fresh Start. We'll find out all the news, see the new product introductions and make our plans. Still following that idea of keeping it simple.

So, how can you keep it simple. First of all, focus on selling. Not everyone is a born salesperson so if you're not, then ask someone who is...........or pick up a book on selling. Even though you can pick up some great tips I believe that you also must be yourself, love what you do and honestly love to help others as well.

Let's face it - if you love the product and have seen results.............then you can share with someone......... offer that outstanding customer service and your business is way ahead of all the others. In the next few days think of what you would want someone to do for you. What kind of customer service or special customer perks would make you a loyal customer. Even better, ask your customers what would make them stay with you.

Some clients want the personal attention - they want you to visit with them, to try all the products, wear the colors and they want you to personally deliver. Other clients want to order online and have it appear at their door. The only way to find out who wants what is to ask and I think it would be a great idea to have a client profile on each client with notes on what is important to them. This would help you offer great customer service and keep them coming back.

Listening is key to everything. Don't we often talk more than listen. If you carefully listen to what the client is saying you can learn what she needs and loves. In our excitement about all the fabulous products we can often talk ourself right out of a sale because we're not listening to what the client really wants. And additionally it will help if we just share on a "need to know" basis. Sometimes we just tell clients so much, it's overwhelming. Keep it simple, Sell our products, offer Great Customer Service and Listen. Some really simple things we can practice every day.

So, I seem to always start out these with some ramblings about whatever I'm thinking. And actually I went back to here and decided to post my new business approach for the new year. Then you can read on if you like for the ramblings!! :-)

I think we've all gotten way off track with our business because we've had so many distractions with all the changes. Yes, we've had some recession but I'm telling you that things are better and people are spending money and they want what we have.

Yesterday Larry and I went to the first restaurant to eat and there was almost an hour wait! The second one was 30 minutes but we decided if we wanted to eat we might as well wait. The place had people still coming in for an hour after we sat down. And it was families and large groups of friends. This was a new resturant in our area, not cheap and everyone is out spending money. I had a new client recently and her and her daughter spent $500 with me. So, here's what I'm saying......

Focus on sales. Set a goal to sell $500 a week - $2000 a month. Now some of you will say that's really a lot. With the price of our products - anti-aging, skin care, etc. (which are not unreasonable at all) it doesn't take long to sell $500. Particularly if you're in the Platinum Plus category - find clients over 50! HA! Anyway, if you had 5 Platinum Plus Skin care clients you would sell $500.........or if you held a $500 spa (it takes an average of 10 guests to get $500) or how about 3 one on one makeovers.....the point being it doesn't take long to get $500.

Then what if you really focused on that one party, or those 3 consultations, skin care clients and gave them outragious customer service. You could work just a few hours a week - if it's one Spa, then only 1 night a week.........4 nights a month..........and make $1000. Then if you continued this over a year.....with the spas.......you would have almost 500 clients.......provided you gave incredible customer service you could be having $3000 - $5000 a month in sales because of your re-order business added to your new business every month.

My new business plan for the year is A Fresh Start.........Keeping it simple. $2000 sales a month, $500 sales a week........one day of work a week......staying focused on growing that business. All other things will come. To keep up with product introductions, education, attend one team rally a month.......attend 2 National meetings a year. Not 4 meetings a month..........not dozens of phone calls..........FOCUS ON SELLING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. Call your Director for help and any direction, clarification on issues.

BeautiU is FREE for you to audit if you want to refresh. All you have to do is call Beauticontrol and register. You cannot register for free online. So, you can call and register and attend for free. And the best news........you can also take as many friends with you as you would like - people who might want to take a look at the business..........and that's also FREE! You just need to call and register them on the phone. If they like it, they can sign up at the end of BeautiU and their training is finished. If they don't, they are more educated about the company and products and you've had a fun day with them. It really is a girlfriend day anyway - makeup, skin care, lunch and you're out by 1:00 PM!

So, that's it for now - Fresh Start - Keeping it Simple. How does it sound?

As for those rambling thoughts - think I'll save them for the next post!

What will your Fresh Start look like?

It's Friday! Where does the time go? It just seems to "zip" by before we know it. So many demands on everyone's time. The question is do we create this? Do we try to put too many things into our day? Could we have much slower days and really enjoy them if we changed our routines, stopped volunteering and doing things we think we "should" do. Hummm!

Okay, enough about the passing of time! :-) Today I'm practicing again. And as you can see I have just learned how to put pictures in here. I thought it might be helpful to you all if I could put pictures of some rewards I am offering so you can see what you could earn. So, I've learned one thing here today - let me go explore and see what else I can learn.

Would love to have you sign in here, vote on the survey and post a comment. I'll check in again and we'll figure this out together.

Have a beautiful day!

Moving forward!

Well, I started playing around with this in Oct. of 2009. Then I forgot about it. I'm finding the need to do this again because I've been thinking a lot about our business and how most of us have had some very big challenges get us sidetracked.

We are off to a great start, 9 days into our new year and I sense that things are turning around with our business and it's time to get back on board and get busy. I've been doing a lot of thinking about our spa business, the cancellations we've all experienced and in the next few days I want to share some of the ideas I've had. For now, I'm just saying hello, going back to the instructions and seeing just how this all works. I am hoping to soon have this up and running so I can provide ideas, challenges, for everyone to see.

Attitude!

How's your attitude today? Mine has gone through lots of changes today.

First, there was the rain, then the wrecks, I was late getting out of town to a meeting and my attitude wasn't the greatest. I called my friend Sue and she reminded me that the most important thing was to be safe and not get hung up on being late. I worked on that a bit......sometimes it does take work to change our attitude.

When I got to my destination I was with some of my BC Director buddies and if anything will improve your attitude right away, it would be getting with them. Hugs and encouragement, smiles and laughter.....all those things lift your attitude right up there. Ya just gotta hang out with some BC sisters and you'll be alright!

We talked about Facebook today. Most all of us are on there. One of the things I noticed is you can tell a lot about people's attitudes from the way they post. Well, in some cases you don't even have to guess........they will tell you and the whole world!

I particularly dislike the ones who start out my day by posting what a lousy day it is! They hate Mondays, hate their job, they hate their life, they lost at one of those games which I have never figured out how to play. I have to admit that after reading many of those day after day I just have to hide their comments. Attitudes can be catching and I don't want to catch those. I have to work on mine anyway.

One thing many people don't like is Mondays! I happen to be a person who likes Mondays! It's a new beginning, a fresh start! But then I am learning the older I get that I like everyday! They go too fast and I need to spend a little more time savoring each one. Now, don't get me wrong, with any day there can be some disappointments but wouldn't it be refreshing if every day we looked for something to be grateful about. (I must confess that I don't love rainy days when I'm driving) Which reminds me that my friend Michelle has decided to post each day something or someone she is grateful for. Now that is a great attitude! And notice I said she "decided" to do that. So, perhaps, the lesson is we get to choose what our attitude will be for the day. Will we choose to be unhappy, complain or will we get up each day and "decide" to have a great attitude in all things.

If I forget this, please remind me. I don't want to be responsible for someone "catching" my bad attitude and carry it with them throughout the day!

Looking forward to Tuesday!

A Whole new Company!

When I last wrote I was getting ready to head to Dallas. I have been and I am back! Wow! What a whirlwind trip! I had no idea exactly where we were going but by the time I got back I knew we were going in the right direction. I also had no idea how BIG this was going to be but I can't even imagine how BeautiControl and Tupperware could have created such an incredible compensation plan. It is totally amazing.

It is a little overwhelming at the beginning - after all I've had the basic plan for 22 years! So, to completely change everything from the first level to the top - well, that's a lot to learn and digest. However, after going through several hours of training for 2 days and continuing to go through more details through our webinars I see how incredible it really is. Who joins a company and starts making money immediately......and can be a Director with income, bonuses, a company car in just 3 months!! Wow! So, get ready for the ride of your life.

Well, that is unless you decide you don't want to work. Because in this case when you do work, you get rewarded greatly!! I love BeautiControl. When everyone else around us is either firing or laying people off.....decreasing salaries or cutting benefits, BeautiControl is creating a new compensation plan and giving us all increases!!

If you are new to the company you are here at the perfect time. If you've been around for a while, then you must prepare to have double the fun and double the income. Work in November and December to advance to the next career level because raises are coming in January at every level. So many fabulous things!

Running late

I understand when you blog it's important to be consistent in writing. I have no idea where the last few days went. Well, actually that's not true. I'm still cleaning, working in my office and did some more work on my mother's things.

Tonight I've been working on plans for tomorrow night's monthly meeting with consultants. I know it can be overwhelming when you first start a home-based business. It's really fun to own your own business. But there's got to be some order and some discipline in order for it to be successful. Tomorrow night we will discuss some of those things. We'll work on how to get started, organized, and making money immediately. My goal is that the people who attend will feel like they got some good information they can take and use the next day in their business.

It's so good to see the sun again and to see all the beautiful color in the Fall leaves. Although I much prefer the warm months of the year I still like those few weeks where it's not too cold and the trees are changing.

This week I will head to Dallas for a leadership meeting about what our company is planning for 2010. I just can't wait to see all the information because I feel like we have the best leadership in place and we are ready for something new to take us further than ever before. Stay tuned for all the news.

Don't forget to be joyful. When you get to wake up and go to work, remember that a lot of people today do not have a job. They aren't sure if they are going to eat today. Don't complain about the mundane tasks you have - get up and remember - It's Monday - a fresh start!

The sun is shining in here!

So, Karen got excited and we're going to set the world on fire with blogging.

My son laughed at the thought of his mom blogging....

What can I say? I'm not the most disciplined person but I sort of like this idea.

I think it might be that I feel like I'm committing to someone to create action in my life. Hummm, for right now, it might be only me because I don't know if anyone is even reading.

I did like Julie and Julia but I can't quite see the whole world being interested in what I'm doing. Let's face it, everyone knows me knows I don't cook!! I know that I can......and I could even be a better cook but well.......

Anyway, back to commitments. Today, for the first time in weeks I'm actually in my office and had started to clean off just one of the tables covered from one end to the other. Actually the contents of my desk had grown to cover not only my desk, my computer station but 3 additional table tops and a thing or two on the couch and love seat in my office. Now that's a pretty picture, isn't it.

Now that you have that picture, think about me doing a consultation yesterday working around the piles. I just didn't clean and let her in and explained what was going on. She was very patient, we had a great time picking out her skin care and makeup and getting her back on track. Today she is a new Consultant getting her products at a discount.

I'm not sure how long blogs are supposed to be......but I think for now I should quit and get back to today's commitments. I was going to say my to-do list but I'm not liking the sound of that. So, today my commitment to bringing some joy into my life is doing this:

Clearing off at least two of these tables in my office, putting up a curtain in my TV room and clearing one more shelf in my closet. I'm excited......they say the sun is coming out this afternoon but it feels more sunny in my office right now just knowing I'm making some progress today.

Tuesday are ok too! But this morning I am running way late in getting it together. Anyone else ever have that trouble? Your mind is racing but your body can't keep up!

I have so many ideas for training and new business. Re-orders have been coming in and I had a one on one consultation which was great yesterday....it may turn into a recruit. Somehow with the recent events it is taking me much longer to get energized and started each day. I'm working on it.

What are you working on today? I always say we must be "intentional" about our business or nothing ever happens. So, what's the one thing you will put on your to-do list today that will move your business even one little step forward. Share it with me!

The steps I'm taking today are:

to see my chiropractor - keep working on my health.
Tackle one more shelf of my closet. The whole task of that closet is overwhelming so one section at a time. - that helps in my clutter war in my house.
Recruit one new consultant - helps build my business

But as I write this I see that I've left the most important thing out - that is my spiritual step for the day. That must have been a nudge from God so I will close by saying I'm going to get off the computer and read from my Bible.

Oh and one more thing - it's very gloomy, rainy in St. Louis today so I am going to try and make it a Sunny day in my world anyway!

Thought for the Day!

I LOVE Mondays! Fresh start......forget last week.....more time to get things done!! Mondays are great!!!

This will take a little practice. Michelle perhaps it's just you and I practicing until I see how it works.

Hello BeautiControl Harder Team! This is a first for me. Just trying to see how this works! Let me see if I can create a place to report our BC family news.