Thursday, July 10, 2014

Another Cancelation

So, I had another party reschedule and instead of freaking out this time, I just thought, "Well, I am doing everything I can do that is in my control. When you are in business, things like this happen. Deals fall through, budgets get cut, unexpected obstacles arise. That is the nature of any business. So, take it in stride and keep going. something will catch. I encourage this way of thinking :) sigh. Feel better already

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Flaky People

OMG! So, in our generation and in Southern California, I have found myself surrounded by flaky people! Ewe! Follow through on your commitments! Don't be rude! Everyone makes plans and then (since we have our world at our fingertips via our phones) cancel and go off to do who knows what else at the last minute. My mom says back before you had a cell phone everyone agreed on a place and time and then you showed up...on time might I add. Oh, the golden days. This has always been an annoyance to me along with people who get on their phones while their having a conversation with you, but that's a whole other soap box for another day...

I had a party cancel on me, which is fine..whatever. It is simply frustrating when I am trying to build an income based on the number of people I tell about Arbonne. I have personal goals that I try to meet each week and I* work hard to book things. I guess this is the part of the game where you learn to overbook just in case of cancellations or you factor in "dropped parties" into your numbers for each month. I am trying to figure out how to best handle it. The girl wants to reschedule, but did not answer my request for when she wanted to reschedule. I am going to get this party! Even if it's 3 months from now, it will happen! And this is how I have to feel about each one. You never know what one person can do for your business, so they are all important!!! I think I might just add another party onto the already packed end of the month; we will see.

Also, reading a book that my amazing, thoughtful and encouraging upline sent me.. I think I'm her 4th generation? Anyway, it was such a sweet gesture! And a very good read. It's called, "The four year Career." It really breaks down the mathematics of Network Marketing: the myths, the reality, the opportunity. Author, Richard Bliss Brooke is refreshingly honest and focuses on the facts. The truth is that the majority of people who set out to do network marketing will quit before they really make any substantial money. Also, it brought to my attention how Amazing of a compensation plan and incentives Arbonne has! Seriously! It's a non-Arbonne book with general statistics and comparing them with Arbonne excited me deeply. I found a good one, the golden company! I will be a success and I will make this work for me! It wont happen overnight, it requires tenacity and consistency, but I can do it. The system is simple; It just has to be followed. And I wont let any of those flakes get in my way! I am building my network!!!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Being Patient

I probably need to read more network marketing books so I can understand that the impatience I am feeling is normal. In my mind, I a already a level ahead of where I am, even though my business doesn't reflect that at this moment. I just so badly want to be at that next level, that I have to remind myself to not get frustrated.

I also totally overbooked myself today. I had a skype 1x1 at 9am, went into work at 1045, a coffee 1x1 at 3, filming the announcements for church at 4, another skype 1x1 at  5, dinner with my boyfriend around 6 and bible study at 7... Which actually wouldn't have been that terrible... except the USA was playing in the world cup today and so I didn't get out of BJs until 515..... yeah... stressful much? And I don't even care about soccer!! Anyway, I was trying to communicate with my meetings while my tables were yelling at me that they needed things and the restaurant was running out of everything. My ears were ringing and I felt a migraine approaching when I got off. Met for the coffee a couple hours later, thankfully she was flexible, went and shot for 30 minutes and rescheduled the secondary skype.. I need to learn that I do have limits and that I need to set a realistic schedule for myself. Although it is productive, 3 1x1 in one day is a little over the top, after all I am only human. I am growing more exhauseted and pushing myself. I think in August, I will mellow out to 2 parties instead of 3 a week  and try to regain some balance/ sleep in my life.

Lesson: Don't over commit yourself, know your realistic boundaries in your schedule, don't be afraid to say no or schedule it at a later date.. It's better than trying to cram it in and running around looking like Hellen Keller's personal assistant, lol too much? Sorry, that's what my best friend and I say whenever we have wacked out hair and sweaty makeup or what remains of it haha.

I am learning the rythm of what I can handle, 2 parties, 2 1x1. Totally doable and still gives me a little wiggle room while juggling my two other jobs! If nothing else this has motivated me further to get out of waiting tables. I will not be serving at BJs in a year, I will be in the next stage of my life, more financially stable! It is totally worth the extra work and crazy schedule to get there!

Sunday, June 29, 2014

The beginning of fine tuning

So, I had my sponsor host a party for me yesterday and I kept feeling like the people were confused throughout the whole presentation, so I need to simplify my jargon because I'm explaining things with too much wording... So I decided that for my personality, I am literally going to write myself a script of the most effective was to say everything and just memorize it and as I hear better tips or learn and burns, I can go back and adjust. Then, at least my presentation will be more concise and clear. All three of the girls liked the product and want to purchase, but are at transitional financial times, so I will be following up with them within the next month to two weeks to schedule an order and hosting parties! yay! So I felt good about it and the party was fun, which is important. then I whisked off to see a show with my boyfriend tee hee.

This morning we had our team meeting, which I really appreciate as far as being able to see other consultants. It gives you momentum to talk with other girls and be able to ask a national vp her advice on the little specific things you need help with... like keeping track of people that call you back. Post-its was her answer... sometimes the good old fashioned way is the best way. We talked about overcoming objection and we went over every single specific objection you might come across and learning to read why people really are sayng no. It's actually because they don't have enough information initially. So, if you ask the right questions, you will get to the root of why they dont want to do it and speak to that because usually the 3rd or 4th reason is the "real" one.

We also got to role play cold prospecting, which is helpful to get the correct wording down and makes it not as intimidating. Overall, just an inspirational meeting. I need that support and community, so it is exciting. Made some phone calls today and I'm keeping this snowball moving! Woo Hoo! More fine tuning ahead!


Thursday, June 26, 2014

The mistakes you make at the beginning

I am so excited about my business! I am so excited that I genuinely don't understand others who aren't excited about my business and who don't want to support me in any way, especially when they happen to be my closer friends and especially when I am committing to a monthly financial gift for them to support their dream. Yet, somehow, they cannot support mine. Honestly, you don't have to buy anything, really, I don't CARE...This product is awesome and if its for you, great, if not, great...But you really wont even take 15 minutes to sit down and talk with me and allow me to practice/ learn my new script? Really?

If you haven't figured it out yet, I am obviously venting about a situation I had today. It made me so angry and instead of holding it in, I told that person how I felt, that I was hurt and confused at why they couldn't support me when I am committing for two years to support them as a missionary in another country. I said I was sorry if I came across as blunt, but I was trying to figure it out so I could let it go. I don't want to be that person that harbors stuff. She left me a voice mail that I wont be able to return until the morning because my party ran a little late.It will all smooth out because I feel better simply after the confrontation and communicating my thoughts. It probably helps that I made a great sale at my party (woo hoo side note).  It just amazes me the people that you would expect to be supportive in your life that aren't. I guess this is when you get to really see what people are all about!

So, even if the people are close to you and in your personal circle and you actively give to them, they may not be willing to give back to you. The best thing is to eliminate the emotional connection to your expectations for people that you know. It's a different ballgame when you get outside your acquaintances. Then, everyone looks the same to you in the sense that you don't have a background on them. They are all open for the opportunities!

Of course tomorrow I will apologize and be polite. A squabble is never worth the relationship, but we will see how it goes. I've already forgiven this person, but I dont know if I can erase this memory although I can bury it. I am not even a dramatic person. I hate drama, but I needed to process this. I haven't confronted anyone to this degree for three years, but this one really irked me. So disappointing :(

Mistake 1: Dont have an overly-emotional response to a rejection from someone close to you.. or you can have the response, just don't act on it... or maybe somewhere I did the right thing and this person needed to know how this affected me. I'll keep you posted!

I am excited to get a little more organized. I feel a bit all over the place right now and I'm trying to find my time management, the best times to do which activities, so that is an adventure. However, I am so thankful for the hope that Arbonne has given me and so grateful to feel like myself again... even if I am exhausted because its 1:40am... Tomorrow is a full day so goodnight readers and thanks for going on this adventure with me... and hopefully not judging me too much haha

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

First Presentation On my own

So, tonight I did the presentation all by myself! Woo hoo, I did it! Of course, my sponsor was helping out a lot and adding information, but it was a really good learning time for me. I noticed that I tend to want to be all business and stay away from lengthy questions or bunny trails. I get impatient quickly haha. It was fun to do the presentation. It was simple and I actually had fun! It also helped that it was all my friends, so that made things nice! I did notice that people don't really care about the snacks.. so minimal is perfect. I am also excited to network into groups of people with more of an income than fellow waitresses so that will be exciting :) I sold a package 4 and a body firming creme, booked a party, so I consider it a success and I'm excited for my next party on Wednesday! I want to book two more parties in July and another package! Woo hoo! I am so excited!! I made 42 dollars for throwing a facial party and it only goes up from here!

I do feel that I am being thrown a lot of information to process about setting up the business, but it helps when I take one day at a time and set specific goals for that day. aka who I am going to call, what video I can watch, brainstorm more contacts. I am pushing myself and I can feel it! However, it is good. On a side note, I had a mini freak out and felt overwhelmed this morning, but then I worked out at the gym and felt better. Visualizing everyone wanting to buy also helps. And now that I completed the party and booked those sales I feel super excited and I'm ready to ride this momentum. Watch out world! The adventure begins!

Monday, June 23, 2014

The Why

So, I am trying to come up with the "why"... why  Arbonne? and I gave my sponsor the answer and she said it needed to go deeper that the answer should be so close to me that it brings me to the brink of tears, so I am exploiting my blog to brainstorm and get to the heart of it.

I want to do Arbonne for so many reasons.. (big breath) okay, here we go:

I want to be financially independent and achieve financial peace in my life

 I live with my grandma right now, which is awesome, we are basically an adorable old married couple, but I want the freedom to live on my own if I so desired.
I wan to be debt free by the time I am 30 (I am 25 now) I am going to get rid of these student loans if it kills me! I have about 40,000 total including all the interest ect.
After that I want to put 2000 dollars in a slow growing mutual fund and let it sit forever for my retirement/ childrens' college funds

I am the oldest of 5 and I take each of my siblings on a date just us two. I want to be able to do funner dates with them


I want to be able to pursue my acting career to the best of my ability. I often feel so limited in my artistic pursuits because of my finances. You can't take the acting classes you'd like at $0 extra dollars each month. My goal with Arbonne is to pay for my life and then have money to drive all over Hollywood to auditions, go to meet ups and casting director workshops and several different classes each week, to have the freedom to really pursue acting and do it right.

I want to outgive Oprah.. how cool would that be???

But seriously, I want to be able to do random acts of kindness for strangers.. like buy the person's groceries who is in front of you at the grocery store or pay for a single mom's electrical bill or buy a struggling family a car, support my favorite listener supported radio station, give a bunch to my missionary friends and my church

I want to be able to pay for friend's dinners and actually get my family nice Christmas gifts

I want to make a movie, produce my own talk show, write a book

I want a personal trainer to keep me accountable to staying healthy

AND... TRAVEL! Gosh, I'm addicted to being an adventurer... and then be able to take whoever with me, because hey, I can afford it. Europe, Israel, Alaska, Australia, go to an Olympic games, take off on a whim, re-visit my favorite children's home in Thailand


I remember the last time that I felt my life was complete was in college.I had everything I wanted, I knew it and I was grateful daily. Over the past two years as I graduated, worked through the misery of the real world and fought helplessness, I tried to target exactly what it was about my college experience that I loved.This is what I came up with: I had the balanced lifestyle I wanted. It wasn't one thing in particular, but the combination of so many wonderful things that made it so great. Everything was "magically" paid for (aka loans), I was constantly learning and studying my love: acting, I had a social life with people I adored, I was in an environment of dreamers who were going to change the world, I was in leadership with my theatre program, the RA program and I lead a mission team. I was able to pour into people, I created the campuses first ever female talk show (trail-blazing), I got to dress up everyday and go to meetings, lunches, discussions, talk about the deeper things of life and meet others, find out their stories. I guess mostly, I was a success. I graduated valedictorian with all the bells and whistles and leadership ability. I say all that not to sound flashy, but to give the reader an idea of the type of life I built.

http://vimeo.com/24137276 (Commencement  Speech Video)

However, when I moved to LA to act, I was depressed to find that it all meant nothing to people, that directors could care less how many accolades you had.... Then two years after I graduate top of my class I find myself coming home from waiting tables, so frustrated with my agent and just feeling like a loser. Wasn't I supposed to be better than this? Wasn't I supposed to be smart and talented and capable? I was going to change the world right? Why did I fail so badly? What lead me here? Do I give up on my dream? What am I doing with my life? A part of myself was dying and I felt it and it often made me cry. Ugh, I want to act so bad. Have you ever wanted something so bad that it hurts? and then you drive around staring a billboards and watching movies of the dream you were supposed to have and it hurts more? And even worse because you feel paralyzed, unable to pay for the "necessaries" to make your dream happen.  I'll kill myself and die if I try to do a 9-5, but all my extra time is limited without the finances to be building an acting career instead.

So... why Arbonne? Because I want myself back. I want to be good at something again. I want to be rewarded for my hard work, I want freedom and flexibility to take back my life and make better choices with my time. I want my dream back. I want to support my family and give to others. It's not one reason, but a myriad. This has to work for me, this will work for me! I refuse to be working in a restaurant a year from now. I want the balanced lifestyle. I want it all.

And maybe that's too much to ask for and unrealistic, but it's honest and I'll never know if I don't try, so why not? what else am I doing with my spare time besides reading and researching anyway? It's time for a change!

Thanks for letting me process! I think I'm closer. I didn't cry, but I did feel my passion stirring at parts, so that's good, right?

Thursday, June 19, 2014

My First Party

So... Tonight I had the first party of my new business! Woo Hoo! Well, I had 7 girls RSVP and 5 of them dropped out within 10 minutes after the party already started. Agh! I don't know if it is our generation or LA area, but goodness! Really? You can't give at least an hour's notice so we aren't waiting for you?ANND I spent like the whole day cleaning. Why are you so irresponsible? ugh. Enough ranting...I will probably deal with this again, so I will learn to get over it.

Anyway, I just watched my sponsor give the presentation. I noticed that one thing I might have to watch out for is girls interrupting the focus of the conversation. Bunny trails make for a long evening. I watched the consultations and she didn't make a direct sale, but both of my guests want to host parties for me, which I count as a win! Woo Hoo! Then, I got all the things ordered to start my business!!! Ah! It's happening!!!  Also, its 1 am. I can't fall asleep because I am so excited! I am going to make this work dangit! I'm so tired of things not working out. This business will be a success! I will learn and meet a lot of great people. I will lead and make others leaders as well. And we will be able to pursue our passions because we will have the financial freedom to do so! I have a goal to be debt free by the time I am 30 and then immediately start a mutual fund. With Arbonne, I can make this dream a reality and continue to live my life and pursue my art! I can't wait to see how this goes! Fianlly, goals to keep me accountable! I lacked a focus and a structure to my life. It's fianlly time to take control and become a big girl. I will remember this date. June 18, 2014. The night my life changed forever.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Taking the Leap

Hello,

Well, for those of you who haven't heard of Arbonne, it is an all natural skin care line that enhances your skin using all natural vitamins and minerals. It is pure, effective and safe! At least this is what I gathered from the presentation I saw. I still haven't gone through my training haha.



Let's start at the beginning of the story: I got a phone-call from one of my actress friends who works in the same dinner detective show I do. She said she was starting her own business and hosting a party where there would be facials and wine! Need I say more? Of course I was going to go and support her! I knew that the focus would be the product, but I wasn't going to buy anything; it was just gonna be fun. Little did I know that little party would change everything!

I showed up and the ambiance was as adorable as ever! We had snacks and wine and I got to meet a few new girls. We got this very elaborate facial and these products felt so amazing! Like magic on my skin.. you know what I mean: that moisturized, yet clean fresh skin feel? No? You haven't experienced that? Well, you HAVE to try this stuff! Uh- mazzing! I fell in love. I have also always struggled with acne and I'm 25. Shouldn't this be something that passes when I'm out of high school? So, I was very excited to see that there were products to target acne, but still left my face moisturized and not lacking the vitamins it needed for that natural glow! So excited!

All of this was great news... however, the part that most excited me was the business end of everything. They use a network marketing system that basically all sales businesses are jumping on the bandwagon with because it's effective. I have been approached with several other network marketing styled positions, but this was the first one I could actually get passionate about. I want to help people be the most beautiful versions of themselves and support a healthy chemical-free lifestyle.

I am somewhat terrified as everyone naturally is at the beginning of something new.You invest your time, emotions and energy into a new business venture and you hope they wont return void.. I am more excited however and that definitely helps. I've been out of sales for two years, so it will be fun to "hit the streets" again, so to speak. I have a track record of being very good at sales because it is essentially a science and a perseverance game. You have to do what you're trained to, trust it will work and people will invest.

My first party will be in exactly a week from today and I am so curious and excited for the outcome! Come on this adventure with me as I learn and build my own business. I promise all stories, boring, financial, funny and honest alike.

Phew. Take a breath. You can do this. Almost there. Now here we go, and the ..... leap!