It's Who You Know

How does one start their own direct selling business?  Experts will agree that you start with your  friends.  And then your friends friends.  And then your friends friends friends.  And so on and so on and so on (yes, I sound like the 80's Breck Shampoo commercial!)

On that note, last Sunday I did my first Vendor Fair at my synagogue.  The turnout was great and I had some nice orders, a bunch of interested people and a few that saw me and then scurried away like I was going to eat them for lunch.  I mean pahleeze, I already ate lunch!  I did a drawing for a FREE Small Thermal Lunch Tote, which was won by the lucky and beautiful Leah Jacobson who completed the Danskin Women's Triathlon just hours earlier!  Impressed???  I am!  Especially since I too completed and achieved that Triathlon two years ago.  What a feeling of empowerment that all-women event produces!  Amazing what happens when you get a group of women together towards a common goal.

Sorry for the blur, my daughter took this with my phone.  I still love the picture though!

When I decided to start my own Thirty-One business, one thing I promised myself was that I was going to be an ethical direct seller.  Meaning, I didn't want to pressure anyone to do anything they didn't want to do.  After all, I want my customers to be completely satisfied with my customer service, the quality of the products and how I genuinely care about their buying experience.  Because I do care.  Really, truly and honestly.  I am a serious consumer, shopper and service seeker and I always return to the stores and salespeople that go that extra mile for me.  I want my customers to feel the same about me.  That I'm really there for them, whenever they need me.

So reaching out to a group of people that I already know well seems like a smart way to get started in my business.  I have been attending this particular synagogue for 11 years now and I have some wonderful friends there.  

Personally, I would never sell anything that I didn't believe in, and I truly believe in Thirty-One.  I like the company, what it stands for, how it empowers women, how it takes care and inspires it's consultants and how it's real.  Real people selling real products.  Nothing crazy here - well except me sometimes!  Nobody trying to sell sub-standard products at heavily inflated prices. 

My first order arrives this week.  I can't wait to deliver the products to my first few customers.  The first of my friends who decided to see what Thirty-One was all about and help me get my business going.  I thank you all for your trust in me and in Thirty-One.