Changes in the product line….good or bad? April 14, 2007

 
Anyone who reads MK related blogs, whether pro or anti, probably already knows that there are most likely some changes coming to our color line. This is an especially big topic over at PT. It seems to me that some (not all) of the folks over there would like to have it both ways. They would like for everything to stay the same, all the while complaining that MK products are out of date. Personally, it’s really a non-issue for me at this point. I like the products that we have now, but if the company decides to make changes, then I will be fine with it. I’m sure that any changes made will be for the better, and as with all life changes, we will all adjust.

Every company makes changes to their product line. It’s a fact of business, like it or not. The cosmetics industry is a constantly changing business. Have you noticed how often Revlon and CoverGirl come out with new products? They aren’t just adding the new products to their current line. Something is being done away with. There are always new colors, new formulas, new technology, etc. that can and should be taken advantage of. We don’t expect, and probably wouldn’t want the exact same products we used 10 years ago if there is something better that we can use.

So, what’s your take on product changes? I like them. I would hate to think that I am selling a product from a company that believes that there is no room for improvement. That would mean that they believe they have perfected something, and we all know that perfection in a product is rare, if it exists at all.

More thoughts on the Satin Hands Special April 11, 2007

Okay, it’s 12:30 am, and I can’t sleep because I have had an idea pop into my head that I think will be really great. If anyone has anything that they think they can add to this, please do. This was all triggered by my previous post about taking advantage of the calendar. I really got to thinking about the police/emergency medical services appreciation weeks that are coming up. I’ve decided that I am going to the city clerk here in town (luckily for me it’s my father, so it will be rather easy to get in to see him) and suggest that we do an appreciation day for all emergency personnel here in town. I think what I am going to suggest is that I will go to local businesses, and see if they would be willing to donate $20 toward the cost of the gifts for all of these wonderful men and women. Each person would receive a satin hands set (I’m sure they could all use it) and some much deserved recognition for all of their hard work. The businesses could write it off as a tax deduction, and of course I would make sure they are acknowledged for their contributions. I figure I can also see if the business owners would like to purchase either gift certificates or satin hands sets for their employees while I am there.

If this goes well here in my town, I think I may expand this idea to the other towns in my area. So, what do you all think? Good idea or not?

Update:

Apparently this has really ruffled some feathers over at PT. While I do not feel the need to justify my actions to them, I do want to expand a bit on what I am going to do so that those of you who might be thinking of doing something similar will have an idea of what needs to be done.

When I spoke with my father this afternoon, (yes, I “used” my connections in the city offices to find out the proper way to go about this – shame on me), he told me that the best way to do it would be to get the backing of the local business council. He said the city could not do it because of the conflict of interest with me being his daughter. (I had already figured that would be a problem, plus with the city council having to approve it, I wouldn’t be able to keep a lid on the whole thing.) I have already gotten the approval of the council, and begun work on getting the donations. I am not actually collecting the money until I know that I will have enough to do this. I only had time to speak to about 6 business owners today, but I have already had over $400 pledged toward this. I plan on spending the next few days visiting as many businesses as I can. Everyone I have spoken to thus far likes the idea.

It was “suggested” that if I wanted to do something nice for these men and women that I should “cook them dinner.” While that is a good idea, and I do cook dinner occasionally for my sister who is a cop and my friends at the firehouse, this isn’t what I want to do. I want to show these folks that the community supports them and is grateful for all of the hard work they put in. Are the products too girly? I don’t think so. Many of the men in my life LOVE the satin hands set. I also plan on including the new sun protection products.

Lastly, this is NOT about making money. I am doing this because I have a genuine desire to show my appreciation for these people and all of their hard work. All of these groups are currently working on a big project that is set to be completed the second week of May. I think this is the perfect time for what I am planning. ALL of the businesses and individuals that make donations will be acknowledged for their generosity. My name will only be listed along with the other businesses. My labels will not be on the products. It is enough for me to know that I am doing something that will let them know that their community supports them. That is all I need from this!

Are You Taking Advantage of Your Calendar? April 11, 2007

 With the new buy two get one free promotion on Satin Hands Sets (beginning April 15th) We have many opportunities to use the upcoming holidays to really build our businesses. These are the holidays that we have in the next two months.

April (entire month) – Customer Service Month – we can take advantage of this just about anywhere.

April 25th – Administrative Professionals Day

April 27th – Child Care Professionals Day

May 6th – 12th – Teacher Appreciation Week/Nurses Week

May 7th – Nurses Day

May 13th – Mother’s Day

May 13th – 19th – Police Week (this one means a lot to me since my sister and BIL are cops)

May 20th – 26th – Emergency Medical Services Week

May 21st – Waitstaff Day

 I plan on taking full advantage of all of these. I am going out tomorrow and talking to anyone who will listen. There are just too many great gift-giving opportunities for us to pass them up.

OT But I had SOO Much Fun! April 6, 2007

  So yesterday morning I got a phone call from my dad. He is coaching my youngest sister’s softball team this summer (she’s 11) and his assistant coach wasn’t going to be able to come to their practice game last night, so he asked if I could come help. I didn’t have anything to do last night, so I went. I worried all day if I was going to actually be any help, it’s been 8 years since I even picked up my glove, and they play fast-pitch now, and I’ve only played slow-pitch. Anyway, I got out there and had so much fun I couldn’t stand it. My legs are killing me this morning (I have a joint disorder that causes pain in my joints if I do too much physical activity), but it was sooo worth it. I got to spend some quality time with my little sister, and it felt good to be able to do something I really enjoy with my dad again. I told him that I would help out anytime I can. With my business going the way it is these days, I’m pretty busy, but I’m sure I can work something out to be able to do this more. I am going to his house this evening to help my sister out with some things she needs work on. She said she likes working with me more than my dad because she doesn’t feel so pressured. I know exactly what she was talking about since he coached me when I was her age. He’s a tough coach, but he’s good.

Do any of you have things like this that you do just for fun? I am actually thinking I may sign up to “oficially” help him out next summer, or maybe even have a team of my own.

I’ve been busy April 4, 2007

  Things have been a bit crazy around here for the last week or so. I finally had a fishbowl that paid off! I have added 15 new names to my PCP list, and yesterday I booked 2 facials and 3 classes for the next two weeks. I still have around 30 names to call, so I’m hoping to have a FULL book for the rest of the month. I have a friend that I am talking to today about possibly joining, and a former consultant that I am calling tomorrow because she said she was thinking about restarting her business. Things are definitely on a roll. I hope to be able to post more, but it doesn’t seem likely. I hope I am absolutely crazy busy for the next two months. I would really love nothing more than to be able to pick and choose exactly when I am working, but for the moment, I don’t have that luxury. I want and need to build this up as much as possible before my son gets out of school for the summer. I want to be able to truly enjoy the summer with my children for the first time ever, but if I don’t get this to where I want it to be by then, I will still be working like crazy. So, there’s my goal and my “why” for the moment.

I hope everyone is doing well. Believe me when I say, if I can do this, anyone can do this!

FYI March 27, 2007

Just wanted to let everyone know that I haven’t fallen off the face of the planet. Life has just been pretty crazy the last couple of days. My debut went pretty well. I have 4 new classes booked, and sold just over $500 worth of product. I have 2 potential recruits that will probably sign today.

The main reason for my lack of posting is that my mother was in a car accident, and I’ve been helping her get things sorted out with the insurance stuff, etc. She is okay, just a little sore from the seatbelt pulling her back. She has a history of back problems, but so far she doesn’t have any pain there. Hopefully it will stay that way.

I hope everyone is doing well. I haven’t had time to respond to everyone that has commented in the last couple of days, so please forgive me. I will try to get around to it as soon as I can.

To those who may be concerned about my emotional or financial well-being… March 22, 2007

I have had a lot of guests visit my blog in the last 24 hours, and there are apparently some folks out there that are concerned with my decision to become a director. I felt like maybe I needed to address this a bit further, and decided to do it in a separate post. I would like anyone and everyone to comment on what I have to say, as long as we can all remain civil. I am not the type to bad-mouth anyone, and I will not allow it here. With that being said….

Welcome, to all of my visitors from PT, and other websites. I know that some of you feel like I should run, screaming, RIGHT NOW. I am not going to do that. I am a smart woman, with my head screwed on tightly. I do not have any delusions that I will become filthy rich in MK. I know that it is a possibility, but I’m not holding my breath. My decision to join MK was a very personal one, and is one that is supported by the people that mean the most to me, my family. You can rest assured that my children are not being neglected. “Mommy” has a job, (just like most mom’s do) the only real difference is that my hours are a little different than most. Outside of this week, I do not work non-stop. (My children are with their father for spring break.) I spend more time with them than I ever did with my previous jobs, and I’m not nearly as stressed, so they enjoy being with me more. 

As far as becoming a director is concerned, it was also a personal decision. I do not feel any pressure from anyone to do this. If it doesn’t happen, I won’t feel like a failure. If it does, then great! I’ve accomplished a goal! It is just one of those things that I would like to do, kinda like I would enjoy learning how to arrange flowers. (Yes, I would actually like to do that, and one of these days I will.)

Now to the thing that seems to bother A LOT of people. The financial stuff. I am not sinking into debt. As a matter of fact, in the last couple of months, I have been able to pay off a couple of things that I have wanted to for quite some time. No, I am not making an “executive income” but I am making enough to actually get rid of some of my debt. I am by no means drowning. I don’t live for prizes, so I won’t buy my status in MK. Yes, there are some things that I would like to earn, but I will EARN them if I get them. I only order what I need to order to replace what my customers have purchased. That is the only thing that makes sense to me, and I will continue to work my business this way.

With all of that having been said, I want to clarify one last thing. I am not going to bash anyone on PT. It’s not my style. While I may not share your views, I respect your right to have them. If I have said anything, on any website, that has come across as hurtful or spiteful, I apologize. I did not intend for it to be that. 

I wish you all the best in whatever it is that you choose to do in your life. I hope that you will do the same for me. 

This May Shock Some Of Ya’ll March 21, 2007

(There I go again, showing my southern roots!)

After the past week, I have made a HUGE decision. Everything seems to be snowballing for me, and that is definitely a good thing! There are moments when it is a bit overwhelming, because as I have said before, I am really the type that is most comfortable taking the slow and steady route. This is all just so fun and exciting that I just can’t help but embrace the spirit of it all.

I have mentioned in passing that my director has decided to have a guest event on Friday. Since I don’t have another job,  I have been helping her with it A LOT! I absolutely love party planning, so this has been tons of fun for me, especially since it’s one of two big events I am planning for the week. (I know, it’s a lot for one person to take on, but I think just the fact that I have so much to do has given me more motivation than anything else could have.) Anyway, my director and I were discussing some of the details on Monday afternoon, when she made a suggestion that floored me. She said I needed to push to be a director. My immediate response was, “But I don’t even have 1 recruit yet.” She said she really just wanted me to think about it, because she felt like I would be a good leader. Well, not to sound full of myself or anything, but I’ve always enjoyed being in leadership positions and felt that I did well in them. I was captain of my high school softball team, editor of the yearbook, and SGA VP. I was also an assistant manager at one of the restaurants I worked at and the only certified trainer at another restaurant. I do have a love of helping other people to reach their own goals. I decided to think about it some more, and told her I would let her know before Friday.

Well, to sum up this long story….. after easily adding 7 more people to my guest list for Friday night (I now have a total of 10) in only 2 hours, I realized that this is something I could actually do. I have decided to set my sights on directorship! Wow! I told my director last night, and obviously she is excited. A part of me can’t believe that I have committed to something this big, but I really think I can do this.

For those of you who might be concerned about my unending excitement, I want to assure you that I will be doing this the right way. I am not a high pressure person. I would never push anyone to do anything they don’t want to do, or that is not good for them personally. I want team members who would truly get something from this. I want to help them be all the things they have dreamed they could be. I know this sounds cheesy, but it really is how I feel. I want to make sure that everyone I recruit, and even all of the people I simply share this with, come away with a positive view of the company and of me. I am determined not to ruin anyone’s perception of MK or me.

So, does anyone out there have any great words of wisdom? My director is great, and is also pretty low on the pressure scale, but it always helps to have some other input. Let me know what you all think!

Quote of the week 3/18/07 March 18, 2007

We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.

Frank Tibolt

How true!

Are you going to Career Conference? March 15, 2007

Hey everyone! I hope you are all having a great day! I was just wondering if anyone is going to CC this weekend. I am leaving in the morning and headed for Memphis! My NSD is going to be there, so I am super excited. My only worry is that I tend to get a bit nervous when I am around large groups of people. I already warned my director that she is going to see a different side of me for the first hour or so, at least until I get adjusted to the situation. It usually passes quickly, but that first hour or so will be rough. Hopefully I will be able to get some rest tonight. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m wearing! (I’ve been trying to figure that one out since before I even registered for CC!) Anyway, let me know if you are going, and if you have gone in the past, please tell me some of your experiences. If anyone is going to Memphis, look for me!