The best kind of present...

I love your updates and this one was especially time worothy with our Holiday Sales!

Thanks Annette for allowing me to share...

"Hello Shawna and Avis,

I wanted to share a little story that happened yesterday and it kind of made my day to hear how someone was enjoying the UB products. So often I don’t get to see some of the people who were at the parties so I don’t hear how they are enjoying the products.

A couple of weeks ago I did a party and when I got to the presentation about the UB home collection I had a lady who swore by a specific candle only (she let the whole room know too). She said she used oil warmers in the past and nothing beat this specific brand of candle that she loves and will only buy. I continued on and a part during my presentation I share with them how it scents my own home so well.

I have a 2 story home, 3,000 square feet and one day I placed the warmer in my master bathroom and it not only filled the whole upstairs but it also made its way downstairs to where If I didn’t know any better I would of thought the unit was downstairs. It smelled my whole house with a wonderful fragrance and with just a couple drops (I don’t think she believed me).

Strangely enough that one particular lady decided to get one, she said her husband doesn’t like the candles mainly for the safety aspect with the open flames so she would give it a try and if she didn’t like it she would gift it away. She also made a lotion and shower gel at the party.

Well yesterday when I was picking up my daughter from school the women saw me in the parking lot and flagged me down. She wanted to tell me that she absolutely loves loves loves the home collection she bought. She said her husband loves it too and that it really did what I said it would do. Also she was skeptical about the products she made (for various reasons) and she has found she can’t live with out the lotion and her daughter is even using it too and the shower gel she thought she would use maybe once or twice she uses every time.

I let her know about my open door workshop I have on the 15th and she said she will be there, she needs to make a refill and she will bring her daughter so she can make her own product. She also asked how she can order some more oils for the home collection. I told her but I also mentioned that she could host a party and earn those oils so she is planning on a party for January and her daughter wants to have me come do her birthday party in too.

Just thought I would share. I am sure everyone has an experience similar to this it is just the first time it happened to me with the UB products. It made me feel good and gave me the little boost I needed to do some more talking to people to get some January bookings."

Awesome job Annette! So proud of everything you're doing!

Shipping deadlines - never assume…

We are fast approaching most company deadlines for ordering and delivery with regular shipping charges. Do YOUR customers know what that deadline is? Today is the PERFECT time to send a quick reminder email with a link to you or your company's website (if you have one). Why not take it one step further and see how many follow up phone calls you can make to personalize your service?



AND NEVER ASSUME that just because the regular rate shipping deadline has passed that your customers won't want to order from you! People who internet shop at the last minute KNOW that there will be extra shipping charges! SO…keep your store OPEN - right up to the last minute!

Your December Newsletter

Your task today is to read your December Newsletter that you'll receive in your inboxes shortly and work hard to qualify for the Bracelet/Earring Set. PS - I actually have 2 sets so your odds just doubled!

Update from the Trade Show

Quick and sweet for Tuesday but I already scheduled a birthday party for February off of the Tradeshow I did on Sunday! See!!!!

Positive Attitude = Positive Action!

Plan “B”…

Depending on what part of the country you are reading our tips from, your family, like ours got a big HELLO from Father Winter this past weekend. Despite the fact that the calendar has yet to officially declare the winter solstice, the ice, snow and high winds were a jolt into the reality of what lies ahead in the months to come.

So, what is your plan B? If you live in Hawaii, Florida or Arizona - this may be a non-issue for you. But for those of us in the rest of the country, winter weather is a reality and it can cause all kinds of havoc in our home businesses - in particular our party calendars. When driving gets difficult, people cancel parties and cancelled parties can mean lost income - that is unless your backup plan is in place.

At this point, January and February are just a few weeks away - so getting dates on the calendar for the chilly months ahead needs to be a priority. Keep the following strategies in mind:

Overbook your calendar. This will help with any inclement weather cancellations and the worst that will happen if all the parties hold is that you have a solid base for your 2008 calendar.

Have a healthy smattering of catalog parties running and turn any cancelled parties into catalog parties. Hit those phones - be sure your hostess and her guests are excited and educated about the products you are offering in the winter months.

Don't waste an evening when a party cancels. If your family wasn't expecting you home that evening anyway - use it as a gift to touch base with those harder to reach customers that aren't always available during the day. Remember, if you couldn't get out on the roads, chances are they will be home too!

Work closely with your hostesses to be sure that the parties that hold have great attendance! After the holidays, general rule of thumb is that she will need to invite at least triple the number of guests she would like in attendance. Offer incentives if guests bring a friend or TWO. Coach your hostess to help her guests think of people they might bring along.

Ask for HELP! As obvious as it may seem, ask your hostess to be sure there is a clear path shoveled for you to get into the house with your samples. Also, don't be shy about asking for help carrying your products in the house. This should be a normal part of your hostess coaching calls!

Stay positive! Despite the cold, don't complain - especially to your hostess. Have FUN, so that she will be open minded to joining the business with you!

Remember, January and February are a great time to gather together all the friends and relatives that hostesses didn't get a chance to see over the holidays. That is a GREAT reason to host a party in the winter months. In fact, YOU may want to do the same.

Be INTENTIAL as you set your goals for 2008. Strong business activity in the first months of the year sets the stage for success!

LWL Holiday Showcase Report

So today was an interesting day. I talked my Mom into helping me out at the showcase today which was nice to have the company. We had a horribly stormy day threatening snow so the turn out was really poor. I was hoping for a lot more people but to no avail.

I actually did make some great contact even though there weren't any "sales."

• A Seattle's women's magazine is interested in possibly doing a story and working on advertising together for Valentines.
• A Bed & Breakfast that wants lotions and shower gels made specifically for their location
• 3 Potential Birthday Parties
• A Drillteam Fundraiser (possibly 200 Party specials)

and a few more connections so that should be something for sure. It's interesting how one "defeat" can turn into a "win" if you just keep the right attitude and find the good in your connections.

Let me know how your parties went this weekend!

Great Party Today

So today ended up being a great party even though snow threatened our weather and I wasn't too sure about the turn out. Here's a quick recap about my customers and what they ordered:

Tina my hostess ordered 2 shower gels & a home warmer set
Sharon ordered 1 shower gel
Wendy ordered 1 shower gel
Kristine ordered 2 bubble bath
Terri ordered 1 Lotion, 1 Bubble Bath, a warmer and an extra oil
Sandra ordered a shower gel

Total party sales were $227.90

(If the collection order comes in that will be a total of $317.85)

One of my best parties with only 5 people! These warmers are a huge hit and obviously added another $100 to my party.

Tomorrow is the Holiday Showcase. Looking forward to telling you about it and how the sales go! Hope everyone's having a successful weekend and looking forward to some great updates!