I need to streamline...

In a very big way. I think that part of my problem is I have "starter kit addiction". Hello, my name is Shannon, and I have starter kit addiction. Let me face the facts with my own problem. I LOVE to shop, and there is nothing I like better than getting a kick butt deal on products I love. Let me run you down a list of what I've done. I'm not ashamed to admit this either, so be kind LOL:

1 - Avon- this was the first direct sales company I was ever involved in. I did pretty good with it too, but left Avon when I left the military. I joined again though LOL. I missed my Avon!

2 - Mary Kay - Yes I drank the Kool Aid and joined at a party! What was I thinking. Well let me tell you. The products are FANTASTIC! And who wants to pay retail? Not me! This was a great way to get my goodies cheap... but even I didn't use my quota in products... bye bye MK

3 - Usborne Books and More - Hey I've got 5 kids, and we are readers. Do I really need to discuss this one further? If I do let me say this... no quotas, lifetime consultant status, discounts, and I'm going to be a teacher! The classroom potential and home potential is endless!

4 - Tupperware - I admit I joined for the discount. I haven't done half bad either. I've had a few parties. A few RIDICULOUSLY good parties! Holy Cow $1200 on one of them! That is insane! The starter kit had like $300 worth of TW in it for only $80. I'm good!

5 - Close To My Heart - I was really going to pimp this out. Awesome products, beautiful creations... the only problem is the economy tanked, and who wants to pay those types of prices when you can use your coupon from Hobby Lobby or Michael's. My favorite thing about CTMH... the ink and the projects.. Gorgeous! CTMH will be missed :(

6 - Homemade Gourmet - Holy gourmet the food is AWESOME! The quota not so much. We eat a lot around here, but not that much. It just wasn't budget friendly for me when I didn't get a lot of customers. I LOVE HMG, highly recommend their products... they will be greatly missed.

7 - Scentsy - Ok... use the heck out of the stuff. LOVE the stuff. My Aunt is a consultant and needed another in her downline and I figured I could help her out... plus we are going to do some craft shows together for some bonding time... it's a family thing.. and what can I say.. We smell good!

8 - Sundry Dreams - This is me. This is my company. These are my products, my crafts, and right now it mostly consists of hair bows. And I'm going to be the first to admit, I'm not doing half bad on that. I just sold a small collection to a consignment shop, I sold a set to a cheer squad, and I've been doing great things for my kiddies.

So, what can I say. I have a lot of dreams, but as a realist I have to adhere to a budget. So if you are counting, yes I am a consultant of 3 direct sales companies, and the owner of my own... and I go to school, and I have 5 kids... oh and I work too!

Yes, I am crazy. But not really. This is my strategy...

I have a helper with Avon who gets me most of my business, and I get great discounts on things for me... Think Christmas presents people! Avon is great because you can spend nothing or something. But at least do $25 within 2 months and you are active with the company.

Tupperware is for my personal self. I buy the heck out of it. And when people want, I can sell the heck out of it too. It's an ebb and flow thing. I love my discount, when people are interested I make a tidy profit. I don't run all over the place trying to grab customers, doing raffles, and tons of parties. Bet I'd make some great cash if I did though!

Scentsy is new. I'm going to do it with my Aunt, and some light promotions. Let's face it... it can't hurt to smell good, and since I use it why not get a discount on the stuff I love? It's a win win situation!

Sundry Dreams is my baby. I'm always adding to it and at the same time I can relax with it when I need to. Hair bows is my major thing with SD now. I know it sounds crazy, but I do have 4 girls so it made great economical sense to learn how to do it for them... and great sense to sell it so I could make a little money on the side. Now its turned into somewhat of a business. I just picked up a retail store that wants to carry my embroidered hair ribbons, and during cheer season I have squads who order look alike bows for their girls. In the meantime I handle individual orders too.

So when do I sleep? Never.

I will probably eventually get so much Tupperware I woun't be able to house anymore... but really I don't see that happening anytime soon! Oh I have 1 person in my Avon downline too. I don't actively recruit but if someone wants to sign up I sure don't tell them no!

Wish me luck folks. Life is too short to sit still!

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

At least that is what I'm going to keep telling myself. In the midst of doing more market research, more business planning, and more dreaming of course, I was able to add a few items to my website today.

I find the hardest problem I have isn't making product, but taking pictures to put them online!

1) It's time consuming
2) I'm not artistic in the photography genre
3) I don't have all the fancy programs to fix my mess ups!

So that essentially means I have a lot of great stuff that many people don't get to see LOL.

But, the slow and steady win the race. I've essentially had to make a pact with myself that I would just work a little each day. Pick an item, accomplish it, and move to the next thing. I'm not talking 100 photos here, or 100 bows, bands, or whatever I'm making that day... I'm talking let's accomplish 1 to 5. I figure by the time I get off work, do some housework, cook dinner, entertain 5 children, and get on the computer... that I've accomplished alot!

At this pace will I be a millionaire? No LOL. But I will get to do what I love and eventually it will get out that I put 100% into what I make and people will know its true.

On the flip side, in the direct sales area of my life I am trying to get back on track with all my companies. That for the most part means doing a lot of training on the things I have forgotten, training on the things that have changed, and reaching out to let people know that I'm available.

So far:

I have 3 potential Tupperware parties. (3 people who say they are interested)

I have a strong Avon customer base (I hope to grow this even more!)

I have a plan for Usborne Books (This involves college and teaching)

I'm thinking of scaling back Homemade Gourmet (not because I don't love it, but the economy isn't quite right for it)

Looking into Scentsy (At the beckoning and begging of my Aunt... I must be crazy... spend a fortune on the products, might as well get a discount!)

Looking at bringing my bath and body products back online (for those who want a more organic and personal touch)

Oh, and I'm back out a the flea market, selling a bit of all of it to drum up some customers and whatever else I can get my hands on.

And in two weeks I start back to school full time, go to working part time, and creating in between!

What are you doing? Are you motivated?