The NO BS Blog Post about Direct Sales and Scentsy
Thousands of blog posts are all over the internet about different direct sales companies. What actually happens when someone starts looking up different direct sales companies? What makes one seem more appealing than another? When you are looking up direct sales on the internet, consultants can write and write and write and write about traveling and friendships and about how amazing it is but do we actually sit and think, “Wow, that sounds awesome, that could be me?” I didn’t. I actually thought to myself the exact opposite, “That’ll never be me.”
So I decided to make one of this week’s post about what I would have actually liked to find as far as information when I was thinking about starting a direct sales company. You see, even though I really wanted to be successful at something like my own home business, you truly have no idea what it entails. Most consultants say things like, “Anyone can do it.”, “Scentsy sells itself”, “The company is amazing”, and on and on and on with everything positive about the company their support. But what about the negatives? What about all the hurdles I might face? What about the emotional roller coaster ride?
I am a kind of “tell it how it is director”. When someone inquires about joining my team, I ask questions. Why do they want to join? What is their goal? Why do they love Scentsy? Asking these questions helps me figure out what they will need to be successful. It completely boggles my mind when a sponsor continues to send every single person to their website, has their sign up and doesn’t ask one thing as far as what the person’s expectations are. Consultants need to understand a couple things people have different goals. People who join their team will not be just like them. Some people will buy a starter kit just for the discount. Yes it is true. Now if, we as consultants do not embrace that idea and support those team members accordingly than we are either end up disappointed or spend far to much time in someone who has no intentions of ever going any further than buying a kit and purchasing products for themselves. And so, I ask. “Why do you want to join Scentsy?” Is it A. For the Discount, B. Part time to earn a little extra cash, C. Full time to do as a full time job and bring in a second income or D. BIG TIME to be the bread winner in the house and live your dreams. Some people will join with one intention and then it changes. For this reason, I always reevaluate team members down the road to see what type of support they need from me.
I can not speak for other direct sales companies. To me, they all are fabulous. When you are looking for a home business, you really need to do some research and find the product that you are PASSIONATE about talking about with people. I love the idea of people having their own home business and giving exceptional customer service. I love the idea of people working from home, being able to spend time with their families and watching their kids grow up. I love everything about home business but the truth is no matter what product or service you are selling, it is not easy. I love the friendships I have made. I love the trips I have gone on but I was that person in the beginning that completed in the negative self talk series and never truly believed my Scentsy journey would be anything but my wallet getting lighter because of Scentsy products.
When a person comes to me and asks, “What does this Scentsy business entail?” I tell them the truth. I am honest. I tell them this business will require some things:
Organization
Public Speaking
Leadership
Motivation
Self Starter
Go Getter
Ability to handle rejection
Passion
Need to help and support others
A person does not have to be strong in all these areas but these are the areas where I tell someone that they will need to focus on. Of course telling a new person this may scare them but I always follow it up with, “the team and I will be there for you every step of the way and if some of these things scare you now…that my friend is telling me this is the company you should join.” You see going in the direction of fear is where we should be excited. Going in the direction of fear means with only 10 seconds of courage will magic happen. I am not the same person I was 6 and half years ago. I have built up so many personal development skills, I am still shocked at how far I have. I am now the messenger for this industry and Scentsy. I am not concerned with people telling me they are not interested. I am more concerned with telling as many people as I can about this opportunity so that I can change lives. Some will say no, some will say yes. Some will be rock stars and some may never open the kit but my job as a leader is to be honest when it comes to expectations. No direct sales business has a magic starter kit when a fairy that floats out and books you parties with crazy sales, but when you find the right company like I did Scentsy and you allow yourself to dream big, go for the no and believe you can be anything you want to be, magic DOES in fact happen. I am proof….and now my friend, I want you to be that proof too.
You need to tell people all of the amazing things that a company will provide but you also need to share with them what to expect the work that is involved. This may mean that they decide that your company is not for them, but better to have been honest and not wasted anyone’s time than to give a person less than accurate information to which you have to send out the search party for them after 90 days. My company is amazing. It is a consumable product, with owners that communicate with consultants and truly care about us. They care about the moral of the company and they listen. They really listen. They hire corporate executives that listen. They are active on our company Facebook pages. They give continuous recognition and they let us know what is going on with the company. But to be successful, consultants don’t just drop their debit card for $99 plus tax and shipping, open a Facebook page and then are sitting on the Beach of Costa Rica or on a train ride with Mickey Mouse in Disney. You are truly a business owner. It means you have to set up shop, open your doors and most importantly open your mouth. You have to work your business, be your business and be proud of the products and opportunity you are sharing. That is the reason, it is so important you choose the right company. Do your research, ask the right questions and if you are sponsor, give the right answers. When you qualify people to determine exactly what they want out of a home based business and you give people the right information, you have a list of go getter team members whose goals include living their dreams just like you.