The Greatest Book on Sales and Marketing

The Greatest Book on Sales and Marketing

If I asked you to name the five best books on selling, Green Eggs and Ham probably wouldn’t leap into your mind.

But it should.

Immortal Sam I Am is one of the greatest salesmen ever.

Here are two reasons why:

1. He tries to close the sale sixteen times before he gets a “yes.”
Sixteen! The average salesperson asks twice.
Sam knew the average sale is made when the customer is asked five times.
Sam knew that 67% of all shoppers expect to return home with the item they went out to look for, but only 24% actually do.

2. Sam knew that simply asking again and again wasn’t enough.
That’s not closing, that’s being a pain in the backside.

This is key: Sam came up with sixteen options, ideas, new ways of thinking about green eggs and ham.

Would you like them in a box? With a fox? In a house? With a mouse? In a train? In the rain? Here or there?

Cheesy sales trainers love to spout, “Ya gotta remember ABC! Always Be Closing!” But what does that mean? Hammer on people till they give in? Let us hope not. Let’s hope your sales people think ABC-UWI-TWHP. Always be coming up with innovative ideas that will help people.
Oh, you’re not a sales person? But of course you are.

If you’re alive, you’re selling. Your ideas, your writing, your blog, your Web site, a product, your business… everything.

Stick with it. Get creative. Be like Sam.

(Did you know a Random House editor bet Ted Geisel $50 he couldn’t write a book using only fifty words? Green Eggs and Ham was the result.)

Welcome Shanta Newby!

Shanta Newby from MS is one of our newest Hive Members and has filled out her questionnaire so we can get to know her better. Learn about Shanta below!

I am married, live in Columbus,Mmississippi, and my birthdate is 8/4/1979. I have 3 boys Ricky Jr., Isaiah, Quanterris, and my husband's name is Ricky. Some of the reasons why I joined UB are:

I like the commission structure, not having to pay the hostess benefits, as well as having a consumable product that is not hard to sell.

I really don't have a great support team, my own support is my personal drive and my relationship with christ. I have found that strangers sometimes give the best encouragement I can find.

The people I introduce this product to are excited about creating their own scent. My personality test said that I like mostly floral scents and yes I do agree, I was so surprised that test was so accurate.

As far as where I see myself with the company, right now I am in between, but I can see myself having a real income sharing this product.

What trait will help you do well in the business? I am so open I can get anyone to talk and down to earth, no one is a stranger to me I know to make people feel relaxed in my presence.

WELCOME SHANTA! YOU ARE GOING TO BE AWESOME AND REALLY ROCK MISSISSIPPI!

Back in the Swing of Things

Wow - when I see the last post of my blog it's truly embarrasing! I'm so glad I work with a lot of other Moms that get the fact it's truly possible for months to get away from you with an infant. It's honestly hard for me to believe that Dawson will be a year old at the end of March. I constantly look back and think! Impossible - he was just brought into the world such a short time ago and now he's going to need his first hair cut.

I've decided in my own life that I need to simplify and become consistent in order to not only grow my business but survive in my day job, family job, and job as a wife. From now on I'll be updating the blog every month at least 1x a month for sure - maybe some extra times when Corp makes announcements, etc. But for sure 1 TIME A MONTH!

I know this is something I can commit to and I'm adding it to my calendar as a reoccuring event. This will also take the place of our monthly newsletter that I know you've also been missing. So we'll simplify your inbox messages from me as well.

After returning from AZ and UT for our first family vacation (see pool above) I realize that with the economy where it's currently at everyone and I mean EVERYONE is looking for a back up or 2nd income and we have a great option for those with little experience or those that have been out of the job market for awhile to really do well!

Plug in to Virtual Office and all the calls/events that Corp has to offer and sign up for the Scent of the Month club if you haven't already. It's become a real highlight of my month and I think that those who have customers on the plan are noticing it's a perfect gift as well for those that love scent like you do and a perfect way to introduce them to it.

Please comment on the blog this month if you're still active in the company and what you're doing to drive parties, web orders, etc.

Best Wishes,

Shawna Straub

Is November really over!?

I looked at the last date on the blog and went UHHHHHHHHHHH whoops! I can't believe November is already gone! With Dawson suffering from recurrent ear infections I finally bypassed my pediatrician and took him to a specialist. Low and behold they scheduled his for ear tubes a week later and we just finished our post surgery ear drops and are on the mend and hopefully will have a better night sleep for the whole family. I've honestly been living on pure adrenaline thanks to the exhaustion this "no sleep" state has given us.

When the doctor came out of surgery and told me there was fluid on both ears and a huge infection pocket that he had to clean out on the left ear I knew that my Mother's intuition had been right. That's one thing we all have that we need to listen to. Whether it's that person that we had know would be incredible in our business, the perfect hostess wanna be if we'd just ask, or the best new networking opportunity if we would just hand out our card. Taking that first step is the most important thing we can do.

I'm looking forward to a great December. November shaped up to be a great month with over $1000 in RSV in The Hive. Keep it up and remember that UB is the best gift for Christmas you can give!

On the road again… (TSF)

I may have mentioned that my husband and I love road trips. We love road trips so much, in fact, that this year in just the last 8 months we have put over 20,000 miles on our mini van. You may think we are nuts and sometimes we wonder the same thing given the current cost of a gallon of gas. However, our family is a bit spread out at the moment. One daughter is attending school 900 miles away and our son (who is now moving back home) has been living 1400 miles away but not in the same part of the country as our daughter. So, there you have it.

Recently, a good friend of mine and her husband (who leave next week on a road trip to a family reunion) asked me what in the world we do on these road trips to keep from terminal boredom. One of the things we enjoy, I shared, was books on CD. Yes, she and her husband had thought of that but were appalled to find that an audio book they were interested in was retailing for $30 on Amazon.com. To her SHOCK and surprise, I suggested that she might enjoy checking out the audio book for FREE from her local library. I say SHOCK because apparently my friend and her husband NEVER realized that the library checks out more than just print books.

Many of you are saying ‘duh’ at this point – however – I consider my friend to be someone in the know. That said, since SHE had no idea, we thought perhaps some of you might appreciate this tip as well.

Your automobile is a rolling classroom. It’s your choice. Flip through the radio stations OR ‘read’ a business building book as you drive. It’s a great way to maximize the time you spend on the road and I have found it to be far less distracting than using my cell phone. Visit your local library and visit the non-fiction audio section for some great books on tape that will cost you ZERO dollars.

P.S. Many libraries let you reserve and renew your books online AND offer MP3 downloads of audio books as well!

So Exciting! Denise featured in a blog!

Here I was just getting back in the swing of things with some bloggers and low and behold I get this great email from Denise Eloundou in Minnesota...

"Hi Shawna,

Long time no email! I read on your blog the other day that is has been 6 months since you had the baby. Time flies!! I just wanted to drop you an email and give an update on what's going on with me and UB!I I have started calling into the Today Counts! hotline and taking an action step each day. I had a party last month and have one scheduled for the 16th. This was a lead I received from corp this past summer. I've kept in touch with her and now is the right time.

A woman I play volleyball with does silk wedding flowers and has a website
www.loveisblooming.com We are doing a give-away on her blog http://www.loveisblogging.blogspot.com/ I don't think the readership is huge but it is a start.

Thanks for reading. I hope all is well. Take care and talk to you soon.

Denise"

I visited the blog and it's darling and I hope that Denise gets some readership from it and hopefully can book a few parties! Just some great ideas for anyone re-engaging!

Where in the World is Shawna?

So as I look at my last post I realize it's been WAY too long since I've updated the blog and I apologize. There are many excuses but no one need to hear them ;)

I am reinspired with Urban Botanic as I've just received my first shipment from the Scent of the Month club! OMG the Harvest Pumpkin is amazing. My entire home really smells incredible. I must say the blended scents for the SOTM are INSANELY good. I know McKenna also mentioned that if I had enough people on SOTM that I wouldn't have to do parties regularly as with 100 people on SOTM you have your $1k in volume! So I think she said something like if I blitz 22 parties I'd sign up enough people for SOTM that I'd be done if I "wanted" to be! I'm sure I may have messed up some of what she had said but I do know basic math. 100 people on SOTM and I'm good to go! 25 on it and I make my every other month volume for commissions every month!

I'm serious when I say that the SOTM scents are amazing. I'm actually on pins and needles to get November and December now. I'm hosting Christmas Eve so I'm excited to have everything be perfect for my husband's family and for my White Elephant Gift I'm giving them a warmer!

I've also been working with a new blogger on the Home Fragrances. I'm very excited to get some traction again there for some online sales. I just had an online $200 order from someone who took the personality test so I know that works. I quickly ordered $50 in volume after that and made my volume now for the month! LOVE THE WEBSITE!

Anyway - I'd love to hear any success stories you're having with SOTM! Look for an updated newsletter as well from me and a more active role again - I know I can get $1000 in Volume every month from this club. Already waiting for orders to come in from some of my Die Hard party folks :)

Five AMAZING quotes…

I just received these from a dear friend. They are from some note-taking she did at a sermon she heard so long ago she doesn't remember the church or the pastor who made these points. But they were so good that she typed them up (on a typewriter!) and has been carrying them around in her Bible for years.

Read them one at a time - slowly and REALLY think about them - they are powerful!

Never complain about what you permit.

The problem that infuriates you the most is the problem God has assigned you to solve.

Those who unlock your compassion are those to whom you are called.

The secret of your future lies hidden in your daily routine.

When you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done

SUBJECT: Recruiting - 100 great tips! Part 1

One of TSF's most requested topics is recruiting. So…for the next 5 days, we will be sharing a potpourri of 20 “quickie tips” a day (in no particular order). WARNING: Trying all these tips at once may be hazardous to your health!!!

1) Whenever possible, give your product as a gift.
2) Ask every single customer if they would like to join you in your business.

3) Promote your business as a “family” business and give examples.

4) Remember your customer's children and spouse's names
5) Don't be pushy; sincerely and honestly tell potential recruits why they would be good at this!

6) Leave your old catalogs in public places with “Help Wanted” stickers

7) If someone feels they are too busy because they are already employed outside the home, tell them they can be the “on-site” consultant for your company.

8) BE EXCITED about what you do!
9) Indirect method of asking “Do you know of anyone who might be interested…”

10) Follow up within 24-48 hours.
11) Keep information given simple and to the point.
12) “Take away” method of asking… “I don't know if this would be right for you, but this has been the best thing for me and my family…”

13) Put business cards in all of your bills.
14) Have a recruiting message on your answering machine.
15) Laminate a kit flier to pass around at your parties.
16) Put recruiting information in every hostess packet
17) Send recruiting information out with every catalog
18) Give recruiting information to every guest with their catalog and order form.

19) Use your products
20) Ask guests at parties lots of questions about themselves to determine needs

MORE quickie tips tomorrow!

Quick time saving tip…

With the holidays fast approaching - it can be a great time to keep your name in front of your hostess and preferred customers.

Rather than adding a Christmas card (or whatever holiday you may celebrate in December) to the deluge of mail that arrives on or about the 3rd week in December, why not think about sending a Thanksgiving card? Aren't we ALL thankful for the business our customers/hostesses bring us?

Starting now, to save time, when you jot your hostess her post party thank you note - take another moment and address her Thanksgiving card as well! Then you will be ready to mail them out the 2nd week in November!

Calling back…

From The Success Factory...

Thanks for your email tips newsletter. I love receiving the frequent encouragement, advice and tips for building my business. Here's something I've struggled with since starting my direct sales business and maybe you have advice that could be shared in your tips newsletter...You contact someone who is expresses an interest in hosting a party or hearing about the business opportunity. The first time you call, you get the answering machine. How many times and how frequently do you contact someone and leave a message for them on their machine if they don't return your call(s). Also, do you have a specific message that seems to be effective in getting their attention and enticing them to return your call? Thanks again for your help.

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda - Thanks for your kind words and great question. This is one that befuddles many of us all the time.

First of all, when it has been agreed that you will call someone back, do your best to schedule a specific time. It sometimes helps if you have made an official “phone appointment”.
Secondly, if someone seriously would like to speak with you, ask if they wouldn't mind sharing their cell phone number with you or if they work during the day, can you talk briefly to them at work.

Thirdly, I have yet to find the secret message that can be left on an answering machine that gets someone to call back (TSF would be a Fortune 500 company if it owned the rights to THAT one!)

I believe, however, that you should definitely leave some kind of message because so many people now have caller ID, they will be able to see that you have called even if you don't leave a message. I usually identify myself, say that I had promised to phone back to talk about (whatever), give the date and time and leave my phone number. Then I ask that the call me (knowing full well they won't) but say that I will call them again in several days if I don't hear from them. Depending on the urgency of what we needed to discuss, I will phone back in several days or about every 7-10 days; varying my time and day of the week until I reach them. I always leave a message identifying myself. If it has gotten to be quite a few calls (like 4 or more) and I've still not connected, then I usually leave a message that says something to the effect that I'm really feeling like a pest and that's the last thing in the world that I want. Please, if you wouldn't mind, will you just leave a message for me on my voice mail (less threatening than talking to me in person) and let me know one way or the other if you are still interested. Thanks for your help!

Try not to take the fact that NO ONE returns calls personally. If you really think about it, you probably do the same thing. I know I do, and often it is a return call to family members that I ignore. I really think that between email and cell phones, people are SO bombarded with being “in touch” all day that it can be difficult to get back on the phone at night or when they are spending time with family.

Coaching your Catalog Hostess - FINAL on Catalog Parties

Today is our final installment in our mini-series on Catalog parties. We will offer some tried and true tips (in no particular order…sorry!) for helping your hostess experience success in this alternative venue to a traditional home party.

1) Set a deadline. Keep a catalog party open no more than about 10 days. By keeping the deadline close in, your hostess will keep it high on her priority list.

2) Coach your hostess to “share” the catalog amongst friends, thereby limiting the amount of time that a guest has to “lose” the catalog in the scurry of life. Tell her to drop a catalog off on her way to the grocery store and pick it up (payment and order) on the way home, in order to share the catalog with someone else.

3) Offer to mail catalogs to long distance family and friends. Let your hostess know you usually do follow up calls to explain product to these people as well. She should make an initial call to be sure they are interested first!

4) Be sure your hostess knows how to complete your order forms and properly add up orders including tax and shipping.

5) Don't assume your hostess will know what to say…help her with scripts for talking to her friends. “Mary, I was thinking about you when I decided to do this catalog party…I just KNOW you're going to love__specific product name because (you love to entertain, you have so many birthdays to buy for, you love to cook, you love to decorate, you are so great about playing with your kids, you take so many pictures, you care about family values…FILL IN THE BLANK based on your product!) When is a good time for me to drop by for about 5 minutes?

6) Consider leaving your hostess a small sampling of product to show her friends while circulating catalogs.

7) Mini demo your products to the hostess before she begins to collect orders to build her enthusiasm and help her know what to say.

8) Goal set with your hostess. Find out what's on her wish list and (based on a low average customer sale for your product), help her know how many orders she will need to collect to get the items she would like for free or at a reduced price.

9) RECRUIT YOUR HOSTESS…anyone who is a successful catalog hostess should absolutely positively become a consultant. After all, she is really doing YOUR job, isn't she? Let her know that if she would like to join you as a consultant on your team, she can use this first catalog party as her own! This is a great way to get her business off to a fast start.

10) ASK, ASK, ASK…how did she do it? When you have a catalog hostess who really does a great job; ask her what she did to make her show a success. This information is invaluable in training team members and in coaching your next catalog hostess! ( Pssst…we'll let you in on a secret…it's how WE get some of OUR best tips!)

FINALLY, once again we stress that a catalog party should be booked only as “frosting on the cake”. DO NOT consider them to be replacements for our real bread and butter which is…(say it with us now)… Home Parties!

Hive Member Spotlight - Gail Atwood - Maine

I am married 10 years, we have been together 17 yrs. We have one 4 yr old son, 2 dachshunds Abby & Scooter. My Birthday is July 23

What caught your interest in UB and what made you decide to pull the trigger and SIGN UP NOW!? Family Circle Article. Plus I LOVE scents.

What kind of support network do you come from? Are your close friends and family excited for you with Urban Botanic? Skeptical? What can fellow hive members do to support you or gain support from you? My family and friends are very excited and will be big supporters.

What were your results on the personality test? What is your strongest scent family and do you agree with the results? I always thought I was more Woodsy/Warm scent, the test states that I am floral. Hmmm, we will see :)

Where do you see yourself with Urban Botanic in the next year? Are you a business builder, In it as a hobby, or somewhere in between? Maybe somewhere in between.

What is one personality trait you have that you think will help you be successful at UB?Outgoing!

“I'll be back…”

Sorry I've been a little lax in the blogging dept as of late. Little man has a really bad cough and is on antibiotics and just isn't getting better so he's taken a bit more time than per usual. Hope everyone is doing well. I thought this was great advice for those of us that have done some summer fairs, etc.
From The Success Factory...

I've mentioned before that my 18 year old daughter works part time at a local independently owned coffee shop as a barista.

In these hot summer months, the afternoon demand for a piping hot cup of coffee can often be almost non-existent and so some days I pop over for a short time to keep her company. As we were visiting yesterday, a couple, unfamiliar with the store, wandered in and asked a few questions about the types of coffee offered at the shop. They were looking for something in particular that the store does not carry. After a few moments spent perusing the menu board, they thanked my daughter and said “We'll be back!”

Oh, how many times have you heard THAT before?

As summertime is fair and festival time in many areas, I am sure those of you working booths are hearing all sorts of comments like this from folks strolling by.

“Will you be here all day, because I'll be back to make my purchases.”

“Will you be here tomorrow so I can come back then?”

“Where is your store located? I would like to shop there instead.”

“Do you have a catalog (business card)?

“This is something my wife/husband would be interested in. I'll go find her/him and we'll be back.”

“I just got here, so I'm going to (get myself settled, look at the other booths, do some other shopping) and then I'll be back to buy some things.”

“Your products look (taste, smell) wonderful; thank you for the free sample, I'll be back later on my way out.”

`I'll be back…' Arnold should be so proud to know that his infamous phrase is being used so handily to enable clean `guilt free getaways' for fair goers.

While I am certain probably half of the people who promise to be back intend to do just that - face it - there are too many other things at a fair to grab their attention and we are quickly forgotten. Keep the experience positive for yourself and your team by remembering:

First and foremost - HAVE FUN! We are sorting, not convincing SWSWSW-NEXT* applies BIG TIME when you work a booth. (*Some will, some won't, so what, someone is waiting, NEXT!)

Coupons - free shipping, sales tax or a discount on their first order may encourage a return visit or follow-up phone call. Be sure your contact info is on the coupon.

Catalogs. If you decide to make catalogs available at your booth, keep them in YOUR control so that they don't walk away without you getting a name and number in exchange. As you retrieve the catalog, hand them a clipboard and invite them to enter your free product drawing. If the catalog gets tossed along with all the other fair freebees you still have a lead. Don't be afraid to pass out last season's catalog. Sticker with, “For a current FREE catalog or to place an order, please call ____ or visit www____”

Finally, wear comfortable shoes, bring a water bottle AND YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR! Booths are a blast to work but the days can get long. DECIDE to have fun when visiting with those folks who drop by. Do your best to engage them in some lively (non-sales) conversation. (That ice cream looks great, your child is adorable, you look exhausted already - are you having any fun?)

The less `intense' you are, the more likely they'll hang around for a few minutes longer, decide they like you and (perhaps) take a more serious look at your products and your opportunity.
Two years at this coffee shop gig have been a wonderful learning experience for my daughter. She leaves for college confident, personable, funny, and has earned enough in tips alone to finance all of her non-coffee shop social activities with friends.

And while the `tips' we earn when working a booth come in the form of new business leads; we (and our new team members) will walk away from the experience with a new level of enthusiasm and confidence for our products and our opportunity. For one of the smartest reasons to work the occasional booth is that it provides a phenomenal arena to PRACTICE talking about what we have to offer over and over again until we can do it in our sleep. If we goof up, no worries - you can try again when “they come back later.” :)

Summertime to-do's. The non-negotiables…

Summertime can be the `black hole' season of the year.
This summer there have been many days when I sit down after dinner, take a look at my `to do' list and realize I got SO sidetracked (a last minute lunch with a friend, shopping with my sisters or daughters, a lovely long phone call, 5 minutes of weeding that turns into the rest of the morning) that EVERYTHING slides into tomorrow. I am relatively certain that each of you reading this has experienced your version of the same scenario.

However with summer solstice comes the reality check, God's little `tap on the shoulder' via his creation, that the fall and winter will soon be upon us. Whether we like it or not, summer is fleeting and cannot stay forever. The kids will go back to school, routines will become normalized, and we need to be ready for our fall harvest.

I know that at my house, despite the lack of discernable schedule that summer presents, there are certain non-negotiables that happen every day. *

I get up
I brush my teeth
I get dressed
I walk the dogs
I make meals for my family
I check and respond to the mail (`e' and snail)

*You have this list too. It is unique to YOU and YOUR life.
To this list of `life' non-negotiables here is a list of must-do's for your business to do before July comes to a close and/or (if applicable) before you leave for your company convention or national meeting.

SCHEDULE:
*Parties for the last two weeks of August and September, with special attention to the first two weeks of September.

*Pencil tentative party dates through December for all hostesses who have indicated an interest in a fall date.

*Check in with any recruit potentials and do whatever it takes to get them signed so that they can be trained in time to reap the rewards of a full fall season.

* Be in touch with team members, especially those who you haven't heard much from this summer and encourage them to do all of the above as well.

*If you have not already, schedule a date and place for your team's fall kickoff

*Check in with any recruit potentials and do whatever it takes to get them signed so that they can be trained in time to reap the rewards of a full fall season.

* If possible, get out and get your children's school supplies. That will be just one more thing off of your to-do list for those first two weeks in September.

By all means, relax and enjoy the rest of your summertime with your family - just be sure to be intentional about paying attention to your business! By taking care of this small to-do list, you will be setting your sights on a successful fall season.

Team Meetings

Purpose and Importance

Training and continuing education
Networking
Friendships - a major factor in people's longevity in the business
FUN!
Date, Time, Location

For the purposes of consistency, choose a date and time that remains unchanged month to month (ie; the last Monday of the month at 7pm)

Duration of a meeting should be 2 hours. Begin and end ON TIME!
Choose a central location that is easy to find.
At the beginning, meetings may be small an held in a home
First goal is to move to a meeting room at a restaurant or library
Ultimately, grow your team large enough to meet in a hotel room.
o We encourage all consultants from one area to meet together; there is power in numbers!

Key Ingredients of a successful meeting

Appeal to each personality and learning style
Variety!
Remember to include in every meeting:
~ Fun!

- Skits, music, scavenger hunts, auctions, drawings, games (ie; BINGO, involving product), ice breakers
- Make and take group activities

Personalizing product
Creating recruiting binders
Hostess or recruiting posters to display at Celebrations or booths
~ Training on the basics

- Selling, including all the elements of a Celebration
- Recruiting
- Training should be done by top performers. Use traditional lecture format, role playing, or skits.

• Recognition
  
  Recognition should always come from you as the leader
  
  Keep it simple; it is not necessary to know everyone's stats
  
  “Stand up” recognition in some of these suggested categories: Sales, Recruits, LLL Clubs, # of Celebrations held and highest dollar sales at a Celebration. Be creative, recognizing activity as well as results!
  
  Top performer in each category tells how they did it in the form of one “quick tip”
  
  Prizes - people love them! Consider having a small gift basket of goodies or business supplies for top performers to choose from
  
  ~ Product Knowledge
  
  Key component of each meeting
  Gives consultants confidence for their presentations
  Insures consultants will continue to be their own “best customer”
  Educates consultants on product whether or not they actually “own” the product.
  Ideas for product knowledge
  
  · Brainstorm new ideas on product usage
  
  · Share ideas for “add-on” sales and cross-selling ideas at Celebrations
  
  · Everyone share about their favorite product
  
  ~ Company Information
  
  Ensures all consultants are aware of dates, deadlines and details of all current company promotions
  
  Presentation in the form of a skit or role play keeps things fun!
  
  Keep this segment of the meeting short; 10-15 minutes tops. Defer additional questions to “post” meeting time
  
  ~ Motivation/Inspiration
  
  Every meeting needs a “heart-tug!”
  
  Who has a story to share; a personal experience or an experience shared by a customer? How has a product made a difference in someone's life?
  
  Have someone give a report from CANI material.
  
  General odds and ends
  
  o DON'T do it all yourself! Enlist the help of other leaders in the area and other upcoming stars.
  
  o People are more likely to attend a meeting when they have a job to do.
  
  o Presenting at a meeting gives consultants the opportunity to grow in their leadership skills and strengthen their personal business skills. This is also a form or recognition!
  
  
  
  
  

Hive Member Spotlight - Kim Murray - Michigan

Hi! Kim Murray here!!! I'm married (happily for 14 years, together almost 19 total). 3 sweet boys, Parker who is 10, Connor who is 6 and Cameron who is 22 months. We live in Livonia, MI. I'll be 38 on October 19 (1970).

I was driving home one day from a home show (different biz) and thought what would be fun...."Wait, I know. What if guests could create their own perfume scent.....that'd be cool." Decided to look into starting up my own little biz, and after a bunch of research found U.B. And figured...awesome...my work has been done for me!!!!!! Called McKenna, and she mentioned the new kit would be out soon, and have been waiting since late March/early April to sell when the new kit launched.

Have great supporters......husband tends to get in on the act and help out at home with the packing, contacts, etc.

Rest of my close family...they're excited with anything I do...lol...but they don't really (maybe once to get me going, but their money is all tight).....but support they do. I've been in Direct Sales for over 13 years....12 years with partylite, 4 years with my own start up boutique shows. Have a good customer base, and just willing to try anything new that sounds fun....but mostly if it sounds "unique" and profitable. I like to be the "new kid on the block" with the newest and coolest company. I like building from the ground up and watching it grow. So this is exciting. I think that because I like to see women "LOVE" what I have to offer, this is an easy fit for me.....seems fun! Was a leader in partylite for 11 years, loved it, but was just time for a change. (was making more money in my personal biz with my boutique shows, and with kids I had to give something up).

Personality test.....thought I'd be spice all the way, but it was a tie spicy/floral (which usually I hate floral...but I DOOOO like some of UB's florals a lot). Fruity was a close second. So ya, thought it was pretty on.

Where I'll be in UB. I'm a business builder for sure, but right now I find myself somewhere in between till I catch a breeze, then I'll fly if it suits me well. Right now, I envision myself doing AWESOME! I'm a self motivator and like working at things I like....have done if for so long, I'm good at delegating and setting work hours and committing. Like to work at my own pace (usually that's at fast pace), but like to take rests too. Balance is good.

I'm often called the "entrepreneur" of the bunch. I think my past experience will be a major plus! but because I have "stick-to-it-ness"....that's a good trait for home based businesses. It helps keep me excited cause its fun to watch a biz. build from the ground up...and I love helping the gals around me make a great income and have fun....so sponsoring is fun too for me.

Shawna's Note: Welcome Kim! You sound like the perfect addition to The Hive and we're so excited to learn from your past experiences as well!

Effective TEAM MEETINGS - Part 1

Yesterday, my husband's family (parents, siblings and spouses) had a meeting to discuss some long overdue and vital topics regarding `parent care.'

To say that there are strong personalities amongst this particular gathering of folk would be an understatement. I am fairly certain that the delay in the get together was pure avoidance on everyone's part. Not unlike the west, where this time of year a mere spark can set off a forest fire, the potential for a full blown inferno is usually quite high when this group gathers.

In an attempt to circumvent; we resourced a few basic meeting techniques acquired over the years in my direct selling business.

The results, I am pleased to announce were truly beyond amazing. Today, I share the basics of what worked for us.

WHERE? - The meeting was held at a central location that was easy for everyone to get to.
TICK-TOCK - We set a beginning and an END to the meeting (with an emphasis on the END) - as no one wanted to blow their entire Sunday.
WHAT? We had an agenda that was pre-determined, TIMED, and sent out ahead of time to all parties. Copies of the agenda were also available at the meeting.
JOBS! We assigned a facilitator to keep the discussion moving along, a secretary to take notes and a time-keeper (essential in keeping things from getting bogged down)
VISUAL AIDS - A dry erase board served as our “parking lot”. Items raised that were considered to be `rabbit trails' were assigned a place in the parking lot and brought up again for discussion at the end of the meeting. This was invaluable!
REFRESHMENTS - minimal - basically, bring your own beverage.
PARTICIPATION - All parties were encouraged to participate - with no judgment or steam rolling allowed.
IN SUMMARY - At the end of the meeting, we overviewed what had been decided, who was assigned what tasks, deadlines for said tasks, and a meeting date assigned for the next get together.
All in all, the results were amazing. Difficult topics were addressed with some headway made, and for the most part, everyone's toes were in tact. I have no doubt that all this was accomplished, because of the willing attitudes of those in attendance, but also because the `rules' of the day had been set in advance in the form of basic meeting organization.

Tomorrow in Part 2, we will discuss this topic in more detail - including the `why's.

Writing it down - it really DOES work!

I have been telling my husband for years that he should set goals and he has never listened. I'm not exactly sure who or what got to him or why all of a sudden the light bulb went off; but a true miracle has occurred. A few days ago, I needed to look some information up in his planner when I made an amazing discovery. On the first cover page of his appointment book he had written out a full page of goals that he wanted to accomplish. They were physical, psychological and spiritual in nature and were measurable and specific, both in destination and timeline.

The most interesting thing is in the period of time since he wrote those goals, he has accomplished more than 50% of what he set out to do. And while he hadn't chosen to share these goals with me; writing down the goals and keeping them in a place where he would read them daily, clearly had a powerful impact in the results he is experiencing. I guess miracles DO happen.

Summer can be a season when we lose sight of our goals. If you find you are drifting away and are distracted from working your business a good dose of CANI (Constant And Never-ending Improvement) may be just what the doctor ordered.

Did you brush your teeth today?

Probably the answer to that question is “yes”…of course you did. You probably did it without even thinking about it. Brushing your teeth is one of those lifelong habits that you just “do”. Would you agree?

This month's issue of Weight Watcher's magazine had an interesting perspective on exercise. Ideally, exercising should be something you just “do” like brushing your teeth. It needs to be something that we do not question and is a non-negotiable. Nevertheless, in order to make that happen it must be consciously scheduled into our lives. If you work another job in addition to your party plan business, that might mean walking during your lunch hour. If you have small children at home, you may have to get up 30 minutes earlier in the morning. Here is the good news.

Studies show that no single type of exercise works best. One study found that women who participated in aerobics classes had the same weight-loss and fitness results as women who simply increased time and effort spent doing everyday chores.

Staying healthy through physical fitness is an important component to staying balanced for life. We work to keep our family/business relationship balanced as we build our home-based businesses. However, it is just as important to factor in personal health and spiritual well-being.
Summer is an excellent time to begin new habits that will become the building blocks to a more well rounded “you”.

Why not start today by mentally associating brushing your teeth with exercising? If life throws you a curve ball and you cannot “formally” work out, just go about your day with more enthusiasm. Put some jazzy music on the CD; you will be surprised at how much fun and energy it can put into those otherwise “ho-hum” activities like vacuuming, making the beds, or phone work!