WOW.  No pressure, right?   My first blog post = gut bomb.  Well, here we go, so I may as well drop the big one on you straight away.

It’s important to say that a lot of what you’ve learned and a lot of what you think about direct sales is total B.S.  #truestory

Those motivational books that tell you to recruit everyone within three feet of you … really?  What happened to relationship building – and choosing who you want to work with?

The habit of getting butt hurt when people don’t want what you have to offer … really?  Not everyone needs or wants your product or service.  That’s OK!  In fact, there will be people along the way who will try to rip your product or service to shreds to make theirs look better.  Yes, those people will cross your path.  How you respond will ultimately fuel you or defeat you.  I hope to help fuel you and propel you forward so your bumps and bruises are minimal.

Simply put, Direct Sales isn’t for wussies; however, it can be the most rewarding experience of your life.  The key is giving.  Giving of yourself.  Giving your gifts and talents.  Giving your time.  Your love.  Your humor.  Your empathy.  Your money.  When you’re truly giving from the heart and living your purpose, you don’t feel like you’re working. You feel like you’re ALIVE – perhaps for the first time in your life.

I’ve had some pretty serious health issues the last 10 years.  I truly believe, with every fiber of my being, that without our Direct Sales business, I would have shriveled up and stopped living altogether.  My husband knew this truth which is why he’s bent over backwards to make sure we’re successful.  This business has given me a purpose that goes beyond my daily pain and suffering.  It gives me a focus and allows me to feel valued and appreciated, loved and cherished.  When you find something in life that feels so effortless that you’d do it for free, you’ve found your purpose.

I can tell you one thing with certainty.  If you’re in a Direct Sales company and don’t feel valued, loved and appreciated, you’ve either chosen the wrong company or chosen the wrong tribe of people to build your company (hence 3 ft. rule fail).  I encourage you to take a hard look at your surroundings.  If it doesn’t lift you – you will have a difficult time staying positive when times get rough.  I found out over the last 27 years of D.S. that not all companies are cut from the same cloth.  Some of the things you must find when choosing the right Direct Sales company are:

• Find a product you love & believe in.
• Find a “tribe” of people you want to do life with (think long-term).
• Find a company that promotes personal growth.
• Find a company who places the utmost value on quality.
• Find a company with a solid back office and business tools.
• Find a product that can be easily sold via social media (social media is the future).

Some will try to tell you it must be a “consumable” product to be successful.  I’ve sold both, and I can tell you, the consumable product was a much harder sell than throwing on jewelry and going about my day.  My consumable product was like pushing a rope uphill.  Granted this isn’t true for everyone – there are many millionaires who obtained great wealth selling consumable products … but it wasn’t my jam.

It all goes back to a product you LOVE and BELIEVE in.  That’s it.  Your passion will fuel you.  Your belief will sustain you.  These – coupled with hard work – can create an empire in front of your very eyes.

Your tribe will make or break you.  We all know that we’re a sum of the five people we spend the most time with.  Well…if that’s the case, how are the people in your tribe?  Are they movers and shakers or bitchers and haters?  Do you feel like your tank is full after talking with them or do you feel drained?  It is possible to find the right product, but have all the wrong people.  I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can go South with constant negativity and literally destroy a company.  On the flip side, I’ve experienced how you can’t dampen the spirits of positive people.  They will fight tooth and nail to grow a company and foster a culture that rivals all others.  I know because I’ve done it.  I can speak with authority because I know it’s true.  I’m living it.  Your tribe is just as important as your product.

Your personal growth is paramount in growing your empire.  I haven’t read a novel in over eight years.  Anything I read brings value to myself either on a personal level or business level.  I’m like a sponge that’s always thirsty for more.  The knowledge eventually becomes who you are and how you see the world.  It becomes how you respond to people and how you nurture them.   Fifteen minutes of personal growth per day is a must in any D.S. business.

Quality and integrity of your product is paramount.  I’ve built a very successful business with a product that had quality issues.  I would dread seeing my customers in the grocery store or would avoid following up with them for fear of what they’d tell me.  It was not only awful, but it was equally frustrating when the company didn’t take the quality issues seriously.  I don’t have to think of quality issues anymore and it gives me a confidence I never had before.

Your business building tools are so important to your success.  If you don’t have them, then encourage your company to step up their game.  There are times when a new company has early growing pains and just simply doesn’t provide you with what you need.  If you can limp along until they are able to provide the tools you need, find a way to pool your resources with your reps and share ideas and share creations.  Naturally your company wants to succeed as badly as you – so give them time to grow.  The key is believing they will invest back into YOU and YOUR business as they grow.

Finally, social media is only becoming more and more crucial in building your brand.  This is the first year I bought nearly all my Christmas gifts from Amazon because I was recovering from back procedures.  I realized just how important it is to maintain an online presence. If you can have a strong social media presence, you will attract more people to your business – as there are millions of people who want to supplement their income in their spare time.  Social selling allows them to work their business from anywhere.  If you’re inept at social media – take a course.  Find a coach.  Do what it takes to step into the present day because the longer you wait, the further behind you’ll be.  Invest in yourself and invest in your business.

So this is where I’ve chosen to start.  I want to help you identify the things to look for in a company if you’ve not yet found your D.S. home.  If you’re unhappy in the environment you’re in, then it’s OK to admit it, and move on.

As we move through this incredible journey together, I’ll share insight on how to grow your business and maintain your empire.  Do you believe you can do it?  Do you believe your thoughts create your future?  Do you believe that God doesn’t put a desire in your heart without giving you the means to achieve it?

I’m here to tell you, your thoughts are 80% of your success.  Get your thoughts in order, and your business and personal life will fourish.  #boom

Until our next time together, I’ll leave you with something to think about:

“Evidence of everything you desire is making its way to you, and the only thing that is holding it back is your offering of a consistent Vibration that disallows it.  When you discover the simple art of no longer offering that unnecessary and uncomfortable resistance, you will let in everything that you have been asking for.” – Getting into the Vortex by Esther & Jerry Hicks.

“Be brave, be kind, be bold, be fierce, be YOU”.

-Jules-