"If you play around with your business, your business will give you money to play with. If you are serious about your business, your business will give you serious money. If you give your business everything you've got, your business will give you everything you could ever want!"

~Shari Hudspeth

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Resurrecting the Blog

Wow. TWO years since I last blogged. I had honestly completely forgotten about it all together until I happened upon it the other day and had the BEST time reading over past posts. Somewhere along the blogging way, it became a chore rather than something I enjoyed doing, but now enough time has passed to give me the perspective of what this blog can provide for myself and my children...memories. As time zips by at the speed of light, I need to document these magical moments when my kids are still under my roof (and actually like me!).
So here we are, 2 years older, 2 years wiser, and 2 years crazier. Charlie is 6 (SIX!) and loving kindergarten. Anna will turn 4 in just a few short months and although it wasn't a warm and fuzzy beginning, she LOVES school now. We have also added a new and very lovable member to the family, Maggie, a precious red and white cockapoo. She is my my stand-in third child and I absolutely adore her. As soon as I figure out how to get some pictures posted, I will do that.
Now seems a great time to start documenting our lives again, because tomorrow we are headed to WALT DISNEY WORLD!!! We are heading out as soon as Charlie gets out of school tomorrow and the kids are SO excited! Every time we see a commercial on tv about WDW, the kids squeal and I get chills I am so excited. I plan on taking the computer along and hopefully will be able to blog all about our adventure. Can't wait!! Mickey Mouse, HERE WE COME!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

A Few "Extra's" You'll Need

So you've ordered your starter kit and now you are waiting (anxiously!) for it to arrive! While you will have the opportunity to earn free business cards and business credits during your "Start Swell" period, you will probably want to have some cards right away to hand out to your neighbors, friends and family, and the customers at your first few parties. Business cards are FREE at www.vistaprint.com, you just pay shipping. I LOVE vistaprint and order all of my extra business supplies there. You will also want to order or make some sticker labels or a stamp to mark all of your catalogs and order forms. I order mine from vistaprint, as return address labels, but you can also make them on your own computer. It is VERY important to stamp or sticker ALL of your catalogs and order forms to be sure that people who want to order know how to contact you! Here is what I include on mine:
Elizabeth Coles
Thirty-One Gifts Independent Consultant
704-631-6922
elizabethcookcoles@live.com
www.mythirtyone.com/elizabethcoles

Go ahead and order your business cards and labels/stamp now, so as soon as your kit comes, your catalogs will be ready to hand out!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Training- I Signed Up, NOW WHAT?

You will receive lots of helpful info in your kit, but the majority of helpful training can be found on www.thirtyonetoday.com under the "Training" section.
You will want to participate in the New Consultant Training, which is held on the first Saturday and third Monday of each month, via phone conference. To reserve your spot on the call, go to www.gotomeeting.com/register/657284912.
31 Minutes calls are also very helpful. These are recorded calls that you can listen to on your computer. Just click on 31 Minutes, and then the 31 Minutes Calls Archive. A few that I found very helpful were:
~Personal Website Savvy with Kim Green (located under Technology)
~Keys to Acheiving Success with Shari Hudspeth (under Personal Development)
~Quit Asking and Start Offering with Karen Phelps (under Bookings)
~Booking a Show at a Show with Shari Hudspeth (Bookings)
There are many, many more, and new ones are being added all the time!

Hostess Info~The Hostess Packet

1. HOSTESS LETTER- This is a copy of the letter I include in my packets...

I am so excited that you have decided to host a party with THIRTY-ONE!
Here are a few things to be thinking about:

•I will need a table of some kind – a card table or coffee table works well. I have one I can bring if you do not have one.
•I will arrive 30 minutes prior to show to set up.
•You will want to send out your invitations about 2 weeks before your show. Usually about 1/3 of those invited will attend. So, invite away! The more guests that come = the more FREE products you receive!
•Get as many outside orders as you can! These really boost your sales and help you get even more FREE and ½ price items!
To total an order- Take the subtotal X 8% shipping. Go back to the subtotal X % sales tax (I can provide you with the sales tax for your area). Then add all three numbers to get your total. Please give me a call if you have further questions about shipping charges!
•Guests that cannot come to your party can order online at my website – www.mythirtyone.com/18535. They just go to “My Events” then click “Shop Now” beside your name. It’s very simple and much easier for you than collecting the orders and payments.
•Make a “wish list” of what items you’d like to get for free and half price BECAUSE:
•I would like to close your party THAT NIGHT! Please have any outside orders, along with payments, ready. Your guests that make the time to come to your party will appreciate getting their products as quickly as possible.
I will do everything I can to ensure your guests have fun and you earn LOTS OF FREE PRODUCTS! I will contact you about a week before your party to see how things are going and then again 2 days prior to get your guest count and directions. Should you need anything before I contact you, please do not hesitate to call me anytime!


2. MONTHLY SPECIALS-
I include a copy of the flyer for the monthly hostess and customer specials (from www.thirtyonetoday.com) under "Party Tools" in the "Consultant's Toolbox".

3. A HOSTESS FLYER
A copy can be found on www.thirtyonetoday.com under "Party Tools" in the "Consultant's Toolbox".

4. TWO TO THREE CATALOGS
Be sure your name, email, phone number, and website are on the back of all catalogs!

5. OUTSIDE ORDER FORMS
These can be found on thirtyonetoday.com under "Party Tools" in the "Consultants Toolbox". There are regular forms and forms that include the monthly special. Be sure you contact info is on these too!

6. POTENTIAL CONSULTANT FLYER
This can be found on thirtyonetoday.com under "Recruiting Tools".

7. BUSINESS CARDS
I throw in some business cards and put all of this in a white polka-dot bag which can be purchased from the business supplies (item #543, 25 bags for $3.50)