I DID IT!

I've been in direct sales for oh.....13 years and have NOTHING to show for it. Before all you non DS believers say "yea that's because that stuff don't work" read on....

My biggest fear ever was to go into strange people's houses. Therefore I'd do the parties within my group, which usually didn't result in any bookings because I would never ask in hopes of not having to go to some strange house. So I'd do about 3 shows and be done. Then move on to the next "fabulous" company.

Over the years, as you can imagine, I've gathered some things from many companies. About a month and a half ago I decided enough was enough! I had a member of my WIN group, talk about her business and how she had a $6.2 million dollar team last year. That in itself floored me to have somebody so close be so successful. I thought, that is who I'm looking for! They say if you want to be successful you have to surround yourself with successful people (you are who you hang around with). After talking with her I decided to join Tastefully Simple and give it all I have. So, I'm writing a book over ONE accomplishment haha.

My upline had given me a lead for a show she could not do. I did it yesterday! I never met this woman or her guests before-complete strangers. It was SOOOO fun to meet new people. It was interesting to learn a little about each one. The sales aren't great right now because she also had a jewelry party going at the same time, however it did result in at least 2 bookings and she is rebooking for January (total of 3 bookings). I see that as a total success! Your business ends if you get no bookings, so with 3 my business will continue. That is just for this hostess I have other shows booked :)

This post was written prior to coffee, that's my excuse if it makes no sense.

Networking

I'm always looking for new opportunities to network with other people, especially women. Have you heard of the Direct Selling Women's Alliance (DSWA)? We meet once a month and if you are in Direct Sales this meeting is AWESOME and a must attend type of meeting. One member of the group will usually be on the "bid table", which means they get about 15 minutes to give their pitch to the group. You can place an order with that person if you'd like and the hostess credits usually go to the group to be raffled off for future meetings. Then we do an educational portion where I've learned so many awesome things. If you are local (in Michigan) and would like more details let me know. It really is an awesome place to be. However, they do not allow recruiting of their members so if that is your main goal forget it.

I also run a women's networking group and we'll be doing our membership drive in January. For this meeting I only allow one person per category so your competition is locked out. Also a great networking opportunity.

I find myself always looking for new groups in the winter that won't break the bank. If you know of one locally let me know. I'm considering joining one of the Motor City Connect groups, but I hear some good, but some bad so I'm not sure. Maybe I should just be a judge for myself. Since joining Tastefully Simple I really want to get focused and get my name out there. I've eliminated all the other companies I'm with and I feel soooo much better. I made it a goal to hit $1000 this month and I'm just about there. I should make it by Saturday at the latest and I can't wait. I think it will be the first time in my DS history that I have sold $1000 of any product in one month. What an accomplishment!

Catch up!

Ew! I just noticed I haven't posted anything since September. How disappointing. It's unbelievable how nearly 3 months have went by. We went shopping today (not a big shopping trip) after dinner and man the snowflakes were coming down and they were HUGE! I'd have to say it was beautiful. Maybe because I really don't have to drive in it to a J.O.B. I used to hate it. Either that or after living in Georgia for 5 years and not really having any snow or the 4 seasons I've learned to appreciate them.

So you ask, what have I been up to? Where do I start? I've been putting a lot of time and effort into making my women's group, Women In Networking (aka WIN of Macomb), to make it a success, run more smoothly and make sure my members see value in it. It's working, YAY! I've also decided to expand it. Our main meeting right now meets in the morning, which isn't good for everybodies schedule so in January we will launch a PM meeting which will meet once a month. Then in February with the help of Kathy Gambino with Delicious Marketing we will launch a Business 2 Business group (for women only). Then in the spring I'm hoping to open up a group on the West Side. We only allow one person per business classification so if you are interested please email me at winofmacomb@gmail.com asap to see if your category is open.

I have gotten rid of all of my other direct sales companies (I still purchase Mary Kay just for personal use) and started with Tastefully Simple like 2 months ago. I LOVE it! I can't believe I actually do home shows and love it. I think the reason I've become more comfortable is because of my woman's group. There is no time to be shy and hidden. I have to get out there and meet new people and I love it. I still need some work though haha.

On another note, my baby will turn ONE on Wednesday. I'm so excited, but he is not longer my little baby. He's getting so big, walking and getting into EVERYTHING. Makes me want another but we can't in this small house we are in :( He has this new fascination with pigs haha. There is a new show on Noggin (not sure what it's called) and then when Peppa Pig comes on he stops dead on his tracks to watch it. Kinda funny.

Well maybe this time I REALLY will start posting at least once a week. We'll see.....stay tuned....

Expos

Ever buy a new car and then realize you and about 20 million other people have the same car or even the same color (and you thought you'd picked something not many others would pick)? That's how I feel about women's expo's. It seems like every group is doing them now and is starting to get a little saturated. As long as they are spread out throughout the year it's not so bad, but when you have several in one month it's time for a change. Have you ever attended one of these expos? What did you think? Was it worth going to? Give me your opinon by clicking on comment below. I'd love to take that into consideration for next year. In the mean time, don't forget to visit Women In Networkings expo on Sunday September 21st from 11am-4pm at the Best Western Concorde Inn in Clinton Township. Meet Paula Tutman from Channel 4 News! For complete details and to preregister to be entered to win a gift basket visit www.winofmacomb.com.

This Blog

Well I have't kept up with it much and I'm hardly stampin/scrappin. Which totally sucks! I just joined Dawn's stamp club so I will be doing somethings there. I suppose I should take pics of the few things I've done here and there. Ok, now I'm rambling.

I've decided that I'm going to make this blog my general blog. Not just about stamping and crafts, but about everything. I can't make 10 different blogs and expect to keep up on them. I do have 2 different ones for my women's group and those are hard enough. I have two because I love blogspot because it's easy, but I don't always like their templates. The one at wordpress is nicer, but it's harder to use and they don't have as many features.

So I hope that you will still keep me on your blog roll and continue to visit. I too, will keep watching your blogs.

Thanks for your patience!

We're in the NEWS!!!!

So I'm trying to get a few swaps going on Split Coast (a snack swap and a fall swap). Not going so well. Maybe it's partly because I'm busy and haven't had a chance to really tell many about it??? Who knows! BUT you can see my women's group in the news next week!

If you go to this link http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2008/7-9-08/EF-WIN.asp you can view our story, which is set to print in the Eastsider next week. They are also going to try to get it into the Warren Weekly, but there may be no room.

WOO HOO!!!! I'm so excited I could scream....off to surgery (minor) now lol

Have a super day!
Bridget

Here I am!

Did you miss me? Sorry I've been extremely busy with my women's networking group. It's turning into a full time job. We have an expo coming up in September so I'm looking for vendors. We are also producing a coupon book and sales from the book go to Rainbow Connection. OH! Did I mention the expo is a fundraiser for Rainbow Connection as well. In addition to that, we are raising money for Habitat For Humanity Women Build. Every Wednesday in July, from 9am-12pm at Biggby Coffee in Roseville $1 of each drink sold goes to Women Build. July 19th will be family day at Biggby with money also going to Women Build. AND I'm starting a women's newspaper. YEP! I'm busy :)

But a few months back I joined a teddy bear swap and finally finished them. I thought I better hurry since they are due July 1st. YIKES! You can't really tell from the pick, but the belly has fun flock on it. Man, what therapy that was. I should do therapy once a week haha. Enjoy....