"Be your own woman, make your own path, and take responsibility for who you are and what you do."
Went cowboy hat shopping today for conference (yes, I am wearing a hat!) and saw repeatedly the phrase, "Cowgirl Up!" Intrigued, I had to look up the urban reference; how apt it is to lia sophia!
No matter what is going on in my life, I alone am responsible for my personal business. As many of you know, I am in the middle of a move--I may live in my New Hometown but our house is not yet ready! Add to this my mother has been having serious, horrid health issues 2000 miles away and one child is still in Michigan...you get the picture.
Today I struggled for an hour to make a paper invitation for a hostess that would have taken me 3 minutes on my other computer. I so badly wanted to quit and go to bed, but I kept at it. The end result was actually lovely, and I now have a nice template on this computer to use. But the struggle to do it! The stress of the day insisted I should quit, but my business mind insisted I not. In essence, I "cowgirled up."
In life, we each have our struggles. What we do to deal with them is different from person to person, but in the end, only you have the final say as to what you personally do. Tonight I wanted to give up. They were silly invites I could finish in the morning. Afterall, my mother was in the ER back home, and I couldn't be expected to finish, right? Wrong. The work got done, and it looks good. The secret to a successful business? Cowgirl up. Work when you'd rather not. Do what is right by your hostess because its your job. Stop making excuses and get going.
Another benefit to Cowgirl Up?
You get to wear boots.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Dreams from the past
Today I made a hike with my two youngest children that I had last made 21 years ago while visiting this area. My New Hometown is in fact the place I have hoped to live for the past 24 years; my best friend's grandparents live here (to this day! In their 90's and still able to live on their own!) and we would come out together to visit them. I immediately fell in love with hiking the local mountains.
This morning I was in a poopy mood; wondering if we'd made some colossal mistake in moving. I decided to through the kids in the car to go hiking...only I couldn't find my day pack. Water is a hot commodity while hiking, so this was not good. Determined to make the best of a gorgeous day, I grabbed three water bottles and we headed out.
We ended up hiking a local landmark, which involves a 1200 ft. climb. Now, I am NOT in good shape, so I was sucking down the water pretty quick! When we reached the summit and took a break, I recalled sitting here 21 years ago and wishing I could move here. Now I have...and it is amazing to be living that dream come true. Yes, I cannot find anything when I need it & there are so many unknowns. But I was able to pick up my business, move 2000 miles and expect no loss of income! Who else can do that? What company is designed to let you follow your dreams, wherever they may be?
Once again, I have been blessed by lia sophia. I thank God for bringing this company into my life, and I love what it can provide to other women. What is a dream you had long ago? Go for it. I'm finding its never too late to change everything!
This morning I was in a poopy mood; wondering if we'd made some colossal mistake in moving. I decided to through the kids in the car to go hiking...only I couldn't find my day pack. Water is a hot commodity while hiking, so this was not good. Determined to make the best of a gorgeous day, I grabbed three water bottles and we headed out.
We ended up hiking a local landmark, which involves a 1200 ft. climb. Now, I am NOT in good shape, so I was sucking down the water pretty quick! When we reached the summit and took a break, I recalled sitting here 21 years ago and wishing I could move here. Now I have...and it is amazing to be living that dream come true. Yes, I cannot find anything when I need it & there are so many unknowns. But I was able to pick up my business, move 2000 miles and expect no loss of income! Who else can do that? What company is designed to let you follow your dreams, wherever they may be?
Once again, I have been blessed by lia sophia. I thank God for bringing this company into my life, and I love what it can provide to other women. What is a dream you had long ago? Go for it. I'm finding its never too late to change everything!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Destination: What?
I have arrived in New Hometown, and was faced with the unexpected task of cleaning up the cottage my husband has called home the past two months. Now home to four of us (the eldest daughter remains in our home state to complete here school year and await the closing on our new home) it needed a quick clean-up before anything remotely business could be done!
So what do I discover my first morning in my New Hometown? My email service has been cut off a week early! Our former provider does not offer service here, and although arrangements have been made to transfer my account to a friend's, all information is currently lost to me. This would happen to be the email I use for contacting hostesses....sigh!
One thing I have learned: when you can't change it, make the best of it. I have spent the morning changing what I can, and have hope it will work out. Why not hope? Worse case is information lost. No one has died, and those who really need to contact me have my cell phone, right?? (I hope!)
Time to take a break, and walk my kids down to the park. One of the biggest perks of this job is the fact I control my time. The kids need a break, and I can take the time to give it to them. Needless to say, I love my job!
So what do I discover my first morning in my New Hometown? My email service has been cut off a week early! Our former provider does not offer service here, and although arrangements have been made to transfer my account to a friend's, all information is currently lost to me. This would happen to be the email I use for contacting hostesses....sigh!
One thing I have learned: when you can't change it, make the best of it. I have spent the morning changing what I can, and have hope it will work out. Why not hope? Worse case is information lost. No one has died, and those who really need to contact me have my cell phone, right?? (I hope!)
Time to take a break, and walk my kids down to the park. One of the biggest perks of this job is the fact I control my time. The kids need a break, and I can take the time to give it to them. Needless to say, I love my job!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
When things don't quite go as planned...
So, yeah. Things the past two weeks have not been fun, and I have discovered an entirely new set of muscles in my back that I did not know that I owned! Of the four shows I had, I did one, dovetailed two, and had a hostess totally disappear on me. Not a cancellation, but flake out and not even acknowledge my repeated calls as her party date drew near. This was particularly disappointing as she had been super excited when I did her calls right up until the week of the party - when she simply stopped answering. Sigh! I purposely had NOT packed my jewelry and supplies on the moving truck in anticipation of her show, ow it was all going in my overpacked vehicle for a weeks trip out west!
During this two week period I did not have any contact with my new hostesses in my New Hometown, BUT I did manage to snag a new recruit! I had changed my address within the system a week before I left because they were mailing out conference registration and I wanted it to go to my new mailing address. Imagine my surprise when I received a call expressing interest in the business from my new state! We will meet the Sunday after I get there to plan her starter show; this adds to my busy schedule, but I am excited to hit the ground running (literally!)
Have things gone perfectly? No, far from it. I messed up an order (ordered earrings instead of a necklace), lost a show and had one dovetail go awry. I did manage to get on the web class (attendance was poor though, and I blame myself for not doing more to get people on) and my big meeting--well, let's hope I can pull that off! In the end, I know I have done what I could, and have managed to give my business at least a small portion of my time every day. Sometimes that's all it takes - a little consistency and the knowledge that it has to have some priority. Here's hoping it will still have some attention as I make my four day drive!
During this two week period I did not have any contact with my new hostesses in my New Hometown, BUT I did manage to snag a new recruit! I had changed my address within the system a week before I left because they were mailing out conference registration and I wanted it to go to my new mailing address. Imagine my surprise when I received a call expressing interest in the business from my new state! We will meet the Sunday after I get there to plan her starter show; this adds to my busy schedule, but I am excited to hit the ground running (literally!)
Have things gone perfectly? No, far from it. I messed up an order (ordered earrings instead of a necklace), lost a show and had one dovetail go awry. I did manage to get on the web class (attendance was poor though, and I blame myself for not doing more to get people on) and my big meeting--well, let's hope I can pull that off! In the end, I know I have done what I could, and have managed to give my business at least a small portion of my time every day. Sometimes that's all it takes - a little consistency and the knowledge that it has to have some priority. Here's hoping it will still have some attention as I make my four day drive!
Monday, June 6, 2011
But then LIFE gets in the way...
I returned home with success written all over my calendar, AND a purchase contract on my Michigan home. Before you knew it, we had a close date a little more than two weeks away!
What happens to your business when life gets in the way? I had four show booked during that two week time period, and had to make hostess coaching a priority despite being very distracted and very overwhelmed. I had seven years of accumulated "stuff" to sort through and pack, children to accommodate and still a business to run. My saving graces? Sunday night & Monday.
Every Sunday evening for several years, I have made hostess coaching calls. Most people are home, and it gives me the opportunity to plan for the week by reviewing my calendar, and fill in holes. On Mondays I spend the morning working on business for the week, often finishing tasks like invitations, etc. before noon. I kept these times the same despite my busyness; it was necessary to keep working my business if I wanted to stay in business!
In addition, I recognized when I was in over my head. After completing a Thursday evening show, I knew by Saturday that I could not do my Sunday show with any sense of sanity! I called the hostess and approved sending another advisor, and then asked another advisor to take the show. We did a dovetail; where the show was still entered in my name, but she took the bookings (a win-win, as I didn't need any Michigan bookings!) Quickly I realized my following Thursday show was also in jeopardy, and dovetailed that one as well. I kept my plans to do the following week's Saturday show.
Then my mother was admitted to the hospital after weeks of debilitating health. Now we have a house to sort through, a sick mother, a garage sale (we decided to sell anything and everything) and a business to run. Oh, and a meeting to plan and a web class to attend...and did I mention the all-day field trip?
Yes, life happens. It happens to all of us. The important thing is to not loose focus. Keep doing the regular habits you'd already developed in your business, regardless of your life. You'll often find its the only 20 minutes of sanity in your day!
What happens to your business when life gets in the way? I had four show booked during that two week time period, and had to make hostess coaching a priority despite being very distracted and very overwhelmed. I had seven years of accumulated "stuff" to sort through and pack, children to accommodate and still a business to run. My saving graces? Sunday night & Monday.
Every Sunday evening for several years, I have made hostess coaching calls. Most people are home, and it gives me the opportunity to plan for the week by reviewing my calendar, and fill in holes. On Mondays I spend the morning working on business for the week, often finishing tasks like invitations, etc. before noon. I kept these times the same despite my busyness; it was necessary to keep working my business if I wanted to stay in business!
In addition, I recognized when I was in over my head. After completing a Thursday evening show, I knew by Saturday that I could not do my Sunday show with any sense of sanity! I called the hostess and approved sending another advisor, and then asked another advisor to take the show. We did a dovetail; where the show was still entered in my name, but she took the bookings (a win-win, as I didn't need any Michigan bookings!) Quickly I realized my following Thursday show was also in jeopardy, and dovetailed that one as well. I kept my plans to do the following week's Saturday show.
Then my mother was admitted to the hospital after weeks of debilitating health. Now we have a house to sort through, a sick mother, a garage sale (we decided to sell anything and everything) and a business to run. Oh, and a meeting to plan and a web class to attend...and did I mention the all-day field trip?
Yes, life happens. It happens to all of us. The important thing is to not loose focus. Keep doing the regular habits you'd already developed in your business, regardless of your life. You'll often find its the only 20 minutes of sanity in your day!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
So what about your networking idea??
Did I also mention the four future bookings from other vendors, and the eight coffee dates I set up?
I made no secret of the fact I was new in town. I let the other vendors know that I had secured eight bookings with the customers, and that I wanted to promote their business to those customers, too. You see, at these events and expos you need to realize that you and other vendors have the SAME customer, but you are selling them different products. They need both of you, so why not work together?
Rather than trying to hammer out business details right then and there, I asked if they'd like to have coffee in a few weeks, to go over some business ideas that could be profitable to both of us. All of them said yes, and four said they'd love to schedule a show when I got to town. Here's were I regretted bringing only twenty catalogs!
For my next event, I will PREPARE a vendor packet of information! These little packets (with a gift attached, of course!) will be specifically for other vendors. Everyone loves a present, so why not bless those you wish to have further business with? In the meantime, since returning home, I am taking a little time to write a quick note, letting them know it was a pleasure to met them and I look forward to their future acquaintance. I am then adding a little reminder - a coupon for any item in the current catalog (up to $100) for free when they host a qualified show with me. I am now even more excited about the move - as I think I will find a few potential friends in the mix!
I made no secret of the fact I was new in town. I let the other vendors know that I had secured eight bookings with the customers, and that I wanted to promote their business to those customers, too. You see, at these events and expos you need to realize that you and other vendors have the SAME customer, but you are selling them different products. They need both of you, so why not work together?
Rather than trying to hammer out business details right then and there, I asked if they'd like to have coffee in a few weeks, to go over some business ideas that could be profitable to both of us. All of them said yes, and four said they'd love to schedule a show when I got to town. Here's were I regretted bringing only twenty catalogs!
For my next event, I will PREPARE a vendor packet of information! These little packets (with a gift attached, of course!) will be specifically for other vendors. Everyone loves a present, so why not bless those you wish to have further business with? In the meantime, since returning home, I am taking a little time to write a quick note, letting them know it was a pleasure to met them and I look forward to their future acquaintance. I am then adding a little reminder - a coupon for any item in the current catalog (up to $100) for free when they host a qualified show with me. I am now even more excited about the move - as I think I will find a few potential friends in the mix!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)