The Journey Continues… April 1, 2007

When I first started this blog, I spoke about the two companies that I belonged to for 14 years totaled, Home Interiors and Gifts and Jafra Cosmetics International. Since I know the truth about these companies’ compensation plans, I really don’t want to go down that road again. So for the last, now, 3 years, I’ve been experimenting and testing different companies to see which one that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with-so to speak.

One of the companies that I test drove was…

Tarrah Cosmetics- I loved their compensation plan and the incentives, motivation, and encouragement, but the products were NOT natural as they claimed they were. I had a severe allergic reaction to them and experienced unexplained coughing and respiratory problems that my Dr. concluded that these new products were the culprit. After discontinuing them, about 2 months later, when they were mostly out of my system, I was back to normal. So, it really is true when you read that 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. So, from then on, I was determined to use only natural skin care- not the cosmetics industry “natural”, but products that are free of parabens, formaldehyde, petro chemicals, phosphates, strong artificial fragrances and artificial colors. A tall order to fill? Well, I did find a few companies that fit the bill. I’ll tell you about those later.

So, I decided to try this affiliate thing that I see so many people doing-you know when people sign up with these free to join companies and put them on one website and promote this online mall of sorts. Well, I like the idea, but there are some pros and cons to it. You can read about those in an upcoming EBook- Enhancing Your Direct Sales Business…-and I’ll stop there. I don’t want to give away the surprise. But, one thing that I did discover is that it’s a very lonely business. I miss the weekly conference calls and the training seminars, and the motivating call from your upline. I miss the anticipation of the newly released products and the holiday specials and the consultant only back office. Heck, I even miss the training manual and especially the newsletters. Bottom line, I’ve got to find me a main company to represent again! So, if there is anyone out there who has a company or represent a company that fit the product description above and at least some of the fun stuff that I just mentioned, please email me and I would love to sample and review the product while I’m in the process of making my final decision. See my Have Your Products Reviewed page for the contact information.

In the meantime, I will continue to blog my journey.

Where Oh Where did Pink Ladybug Spa Go? April 1, 2007

Pink Lady Bug Spa has left the building! What is happening to these companies? I was just about to do a product review on them. I was sent an email by one of my direct sales buddies that PLBS was closing down for 6 months. So, I go to the site to verify this journalist tip, and low and behold! the doors are closed. Whether or not she comes back within 6 months, only time will tell. I hope so; I thought it was a cute company.

5 Common Mistakes Direct Sales Companies Make #5 March 13, 2007

I did not know that I didn’t finish this series. So, the moment you’ve all been waiting for … the #5 common mistake is (drumroll)………

Lack of Unique Products

History has shown that companies that have a product that is unique and is exclusive to the company has longevity. Besides, direct sales companies have to give people a reason to pay prices 5 times more than average pricing. Companies like Home Interiors and Gifts and Home and Garden Party have their own artists for most of their art work for the pictures and pottery. Arbonne International have Swiss-formulated products. Mary Kay Cosmetics has always offered a “signature line”, and Jafra Cosmetics International has the famous Royal Jelly line that’s their high end product that the hostess can receive as a gift instead of paying the whopping $65 sticker price.

The point is not to rewrite what’s already been written. Of course, it OK to have the same scents as other companies-(I can’t live without my Oatmeal Milk and Honey scented products). But, offer something else unique and exclusive that only your company can provide.

For more information about MDSA’s Product Development Coaching Package visit www.mdsalliance.com .

5 Common Mistakes Made By Direct Sales Companies #4 February 28, 2007

Hiring Inexperienced Staff

One of the problems that I’ve seen with start up companies is the hiring process. Sometimes the company may grow faster than expected, and the owners may make mistakes during the hiring process. At this point, there is not enough time to look for people with experience in direct selling, and you may end up with people who don’t have a clue. Also, to get the most out of your hiring buck, look for employees that can start off as assistants-just a fancy way of saying “jack of all trades.” In other words, these “assistants” can answer the phones, take orders, label products (if they’re handcrafted), create newsletters for the reps; I’ve even seen one of these “assistants” assist in writing the training manual. Basically, if you’re going to hire someone, at least hire someone experienced enough to perform any task that is needed for your company.

5 Common Mistakes Made By Direct Sales Companies #3 February 14, 2007

Sorry, that I’ve been away for a couple of days. I know that you have been eagerly anticipating Mistake #3. The last few days have been busy and exciting! For starters, I have a new niece; she was born yesterday, 8 lbs and 4 oz. And, my client at Multicultural Direct Selling Alliance member, Eden Body Works, was on Oprah yesterday! You’ll be hearing a lot more about this company really soon.

Now, back to the subject at hand, Mistake #3.

Do Not! Conduct your Own Conference Calls

Big mistake! Yes, you want to be personal with your representatives, especially during the start up phase. But, being on the calls every week diminishes your authority. It can also cause you, as the owner, to feel so pressured into pleasing your representatives that you end of making bad business decisions. I was on a conference call with one of my clients, and the reps kept asking about the introduction of certain products and other business related matters. My client not only got overwhelmed with having to answer politely, but ended up saying yes to some things that she wasn’t ready to say yes to nor could her company afford it at that time.

I’m not saying to become this impersonal, god of a CEO that totally unaccessible to the people that’s making you money, by no means! But, hiring an expert to conduct the calls or training one of your employees to do so will make your life much easier. Most major companies have persons in charge of training and the owners will usually show up two to three times per year as guest speakers. That way, the reps will get a special treat-the chance to hear the wisdom of the CEO.

Remember, you hold the business plan, and it’s your investment.

Mia Bella Candles A Safe Way to Smell February 14, 2007

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Contact Consultant
Brandi Tekell
Distributor
BnSTekell@gmail.com
www.branditekell.scent-team.com

I recently received a couple of votive candles from Brandi in one of my networking groups. I was please , to say the least, since I am a die-hard fan of soy candles now. I have experience in skin care ingredients since I often do product development coaching with bath and body companies. But, when I received a client who had her own candle line, I didn’t realize the difference between soy and paraffin wax candles. Now, I’m hooked- it’s all about the soy, baby!

About Mia Bella
Mia Bella has been around for awhile, so you probably don’t have to worry about this candle company incinerating to ashes and flying off into the wind. I would think that the generous 50% commission might have something to do with it. It’s fairly easy and cheap to get started with them, but you may not be thrilled with the drop ship requirement in order to be a consultant. If you don’t mind spending around $40 per month to be a representative, then you’ll fit in fine with Mia Bella.

Products
I received 2 votives in Tahitian Spiced Vanilla. At first, I really didn’t want to burn it (thank goodness that I had two), but when my in-laws decided to come over for the super bowl party, I had to break out my good stuff. The candle had a beige, caramel color with flicks of shimmer, really beautiful. And the smell is oh so wonderful! In fact, she placed different scents in these small ziplock bags that’s used for jewerly beads. Great tip, direct sellers! She just shaved some of the candle in the little bags, and stapled her business card to about 4 different bags with scents like, Lemon Verbena, Sweet Orange Chili Pepper, and Coconut Lime.

Overview
Overall, It’s a good company with great products.

Downfall, the candle melted really fast. It wasn’t as thick and heavy as other soy candles. I’m not sure if it’s mixed with other vegetable waxes or not, but it was different from other soy candles that I’ve burned.

And of course, the $40 a month obligation in order to be a representative; I’m not feeling that either, especially since the company doesn’t allow you to choose your own scent! You have to take what you get! But, if you’re a die-hard candle lover, those monthly packages from Scent-Sensations may be right up your alley. If so, please give Brandi a call.

5 Common Mistakes Made by Direct Sales Companies#2 February 7, 2007

2. Be In Business At Least 1 Year Before Launching As a Direct Sales company.

A huge mistake is to launch as a direct sales company before you’ve had a chance to be in business first. You can develop your line gradually during that first year, and you’ll be able to work out the kinks beforehand. You don’t need the pressure to fulfill your obligations to your consultants while you’re working out your issues. Major issues such as shipping and suppliers need not to become big issues during the start up phase of your company. You need to know if you’re going to use Fed Ex, UPS, or the Post Office well before you launch as a direct sales company. If you look at major direct sales companies, there is usually a shipping chart on the consultant master order form and on the sales receipts for the customers. Consultants need to know this information BEFORE sign up so that they can decide if they feel that the expense is worth it. Shipping and other internal problems will severely affect your consultant’s business, thus affecting the business of your company.

5 Common Mistakes Made by Direct Sales Companies #1 February 7, 2007

As mentioned yesterday, I am going to share a few tips to help your company avoid some of the pitfalls that Marlo Quinn and others have made. Over the next 5 days, you see these mistakes addressed.

1. Do Not Allow Your Representatives to Decide How You Will Operate Your Company.

I know that this may not sound reasonable, after all, if it wasn’t for the reps, the company wouldn’t be in business, right? Well, on several conference calls with Marlo Quinn, I did hear the owner say that she did not intend for this to be a direct sales company but more of an affiliate program. But, after several requests from the reps, they turned it into a direct sales company.

Direct Sales companies are different from affiliates because of the FTC regulations and the tax and legal issues involved. An affiliate program does not have the same obligation as a direct sales company, therefore, it’s less hassel and expense. As an affiliate program, you’re basically giving reps commission for promoting your website. But, as a direct sales company, you’re more of a wholesaler but having to be responsiblie for taxes on behalf of the reps and must abide by certain government regulations. So, when Marlo Quinn changed directions mid-stream, they were in another field altogether. If they didn’t get in trouble as soon as they did, they probably would have eventually had they violated FTC standards or other regulations.

So, if you are a direct sales company, make sure that any suggestions made by your reps are entertained, but get with your accountant to make sure that your company can afford to make the transition. Adding new products a couple of months after launching is not a good financial move-no matter how bad the reps want them. This company could not afford to keep up. Remember, you’re the one holding the business plan, not the representatives. When your doors close, they’ll move on to the next opportunity, and you’ll be sitting in the ashes.

Marlo Quinn bites the dust! February 5, 2007

 

 

 

Marlo Quinn closes its doors. Sorry about the harsh way of putting it, but I saw it coming. From day one, I saw the possibility of this happening. But, if these companies didn't make the same mistakes over and over again, then my organization (in its start up stage) would have never been born.

I created the Multicultural Direct Selling Alliance as a way for these start up companies to utilize resources on a shoestring budget. My inspiration came from a company, who will remain nameless, that I had signed up with as a consultant about a year ago. They were a start up direct sales company; they had everything together-or so I thought. After seeing the company from the inside, I began to realize that the owners-to put it bluntly-didn't know what they were doing! I offered suggestions based on my 14 years of direct sales experience because I believed in this company, and I loved the products. I wanted it to work. But, my comments were entertained, but wasn't taken very seriously. Then a few months later, I get a letter from the company that they would no longer do business in my state. Uhum, I thought that was odd. Then a few months after that, I could no longer access the website. They had gone out of business! I looked back at the mistakes they made and knew that if they had at least tried to do things differently, then maybe they wouldn't have reached a dismal fate.

I too jumped at the chance to sign up with Marlo Quinn and was an affiliate for awhile. By the way, I did get all of my commissions. But, I didn't get a chance to order anything, thank goodness. There were some things that I observed that could have contributed to their downfall. And for the record, I did offer my consulting services when I first saw these mistakes but was told that they had some of their representatives experienced in direct sales that was helping them. And just to think, I was willing to barter for a consultant kit because I wanted this company to work. Too bad she didn't take me up on that offer; we may still have Marlo Quinn.

Stay tuned over the next day or so to find out the common mistakes that are often made by direct sales companies that don't last.

January 22, 2007

Home Interiors and Gifts was the first direct sales company that I started as a representative. This was my first consultant kit. I gained a great deal of experience with that company. It taught me how to give good customer service, to present yourself as a business professional, and how to create beautiful surroundings in my home. So, why am I not a rep for them now? Well, this thing called Fibromyalgia. Hauling around heavy pictures and decorating accessories was a bit more than I could take. So I gave it up and moved on to skin care. Little did I know that people wanted to decorate their homes rather than decorate themselves! In my neck of the woods, I found it difficult to find women willing to pamper themselves and take the time to follow a skin care regimen, or powder their faces-much less soak in bath salts and use exfoliating scrubs. So there went my stint with Jafra Cosmetics-no more Royal Jelly for me! Too bad – for all you Jafra people that know the power of Royal Jelly Milk Balm Moisture Lotion. I’m tempted to sign back up just for the Royal Jelly!!! It’s $65 bucks! But, it will transform your skin. And if you add the Royal Jelly Lifting Serum with it- OOOH CHILD- you’ll get a mini face-lift without surgery! You know what, let me find a Jafra Consultant.

But, seriously, I’m on the prowl again for the right company. I’ve tried a few since Jafra, but they just weren’t for me. In fact, this is one of the reasons why I started this blog. Because of the boxes of products from past consultant kits, I saw a need for an honest opinion from a neutral party. I was convinced by the recruiting rep how wonderful a certain product or company was only to find out after I signed up that it wasn’t “all that.” Or how about the rep that tells you that the products are natural, but after you recieve the kit, you have an asthma attack from all of the chemicals, or an allergic skin reaction. Or you see this really neat product with an affiliate program and wonder if the products are good or not. Well, here is the opportunity to find out the scoop before you waste your money. Hopefully, throughout this journey, I will find the perfect company for me. When I run across something great, you’ll be the first to know.