Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Silver Bells' First Senior Consultant!

We have just promoted the first Senior Consultant for the Silver Bells Team -- congratulations to Stacey Smith!!!

Stacey started Thirty-One in the middle of November and really started working the business and doing parties in January! In April she qualified both Richell Shingle and Linda Printz and will now start making 27% on her sales -- which were awesome this month!

Congratulations Stacey for achieving the first step of leadership for Thirty-One! I can't wait to see who is next and where you will go from here!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Top Ten Selling Items

Below Are the Top Ten Selling Items for Thirty-One!

  • Thermal Totes
  • Spa Pull Apart Cosmetic Bag
  • Sassy Sacs
  • Black Solid Purse - Black Floral Collection
  • Manicure Nail Files, Key Fobs, Wallets
  • All-in-One Organizers
  • Magazine Baskets
  • Classy Pocket Tote - Black Floral Collection
  • Candles
  • Word Art

Friday, April 25, 2008

13th Law -- The Law of Reproduction

For the next month -- I will be focusing on leadership. Many of these ideas come from one of MY favorite books called: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell. This book focuses on key questions, such as: What is leadership? How do you become a Leader? What qualities make up a leader.

Obviously, there are 21 Laws -- I will focus on a few of them. All of them are important and wonderful -- but there are others that are perfect for direct sales....SO.. the first one I will talk about is the 13th Law -- The Law of Reproduction. It takes a Leader to Raise Up a Leader

When surveying the top CEO's of the land, John Maxwell asked them what prompted them to become leaders; the answers:
How they became leaders:
Natural Gifting -- 10%
Result of Crisis -- 5 %
Influence of another leader -- 85%

Here are some other of my favorite ideas from the chapter:
We Teach What We Know -- We Reproduce What We Are
Many people learn about life and lessons by working with people, understanding priorities and developing themselves through personal growth. Some of what we learn is from teachings and classes, but more of what we learn is from watching. If you want to continue developing as a leader -- spend time with the best leaders you can find. If starting out, find people in your field so you can master the basics. Then learn from the Leaders of the organization and other leaders.

Take The Next Step
The only way to develop leaders is to become a better leader yourself. Here are some steps:

1. See the Big Picture
Leadership mentor knows the potential of the organization and that the growth depends on its leadership. The more leaders there are -- the greater its success.
2. Attract Potential Leaders
If you first develop your Leadership qualities, you will be capable of attracting people with leadership potential. When you do that and also EARN their respect -- you will get the opportunity to develop them into better leaders
3. Create An Eagle Environment
An environment where leadership is valued and taught becomes an asset to a leadership mentor. An eagle environment is one where the leaders cast a vision, offer incentives, encourage creativity, allows risks, and provides accountability.

My goal with Thirty-One is to create an Eagle Environment. Are you creating one for your team? How can I create a better environment for you?

**The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Written by: John C Maxwell. Copyright 1998 by Nelson Business

Monday, April 21, 2008

Shout Out To The Team!

The title will be official on May 1st -- but in my eyes I am a Director for Thirty-One. I am, to my knowledge, the first Director for Thirty-One in PA and I really can not wait until some of the partners and friends I have made become a Director also!

Here is a special shout out to the members of the 'Silver Bells' team! Without you -- my Directorship would not be possible!


To my hubby -- Kal and my little girl -- Tori. Without your support and without your love -- this would not have been possible. I love you both so much and I am SO blessed to have you as a part of my life!

To Chrissy -- you were the first team member! I still can not believe it when you called me and said you joined my team! How lucky I was to have sat down next to you that day in my Master's Class. I am glad that we are in this journey together and that I have a good friend that I know I can complain to in all my classes! Here is to you and your amazingly HUGE party sales!

To Stacey -- my "easiest money ever" Dream Builder ! I will not forget the day you said to me -- I will sign up but don't expect me to sell! Funny -- I said those same words! I am so glad you, like me, saw this gift of Thirty-One as the opportunity I did! You are a strong and determined woman and I only wish I could be half as gutsy as you at times. You make me need to step out of the box and take chances!

To Candi -- thank you for trusting me and seeing that Thirty-One can be an awesome opportunity! Ava is going to be a beautiful and wonderful little girl and I can not wait until she has her first picture with a Thirty-One item!

To Jen N -- thank you for taking the chance on Thirty-One and not going with "the other compan." I think this has been more of a blessing for me than for you! You are a true joy to be around and your positive attitude is something I need to have more of -- keep up the great work and I hope that this helps with the Mini Cooper car payments! BTW -- I love your knowledge of fashion -- thanks!

To Karen -- the best Internet mess up I have ever had. To this day, I still have no idea how you got my e-mail address, but how blessed I am that you did. You are so positive and so gung-ho about this business -- you have totally kicked a fire underneath me! I can not believe how fast and how strong your team is and will be! Here's to your goal of being the first Director in NY!

To Daniell: What can I say? When I was little I told my Dad I wanted to take off the training wheels of my bike. He expected to be behind me all day. I hopped on the bike, was a little shaky, but took off. I left my Dad behind me -- speechless. You are the same way. You took off! In fact -- I think I need to come see YOU in action! What an amazing asset to the team you are!

To Brandi: The newest to the team! Your enthusiasm for Thirty-One is incredible and your foresight to see the opportunity is amazing. I still can not believe that you booked four parties in two days! Here's to your goal of being the first Director in Maryland!

To Libby and Richell: How happy am I that Chrissy and Stacey found you to join the team. Libby your experiences have helped bring new ideas to both the company and the team! Richelle -- your love for purses and your belief on the opportunities will take you far! You both are so positive and awesome -- I love talking with you both!

To Amy: It might have taken a while to get you started -- but you are the turtle of the story The Turtle and the Hare. Your goals for a solid team and solid start is a wonderful approach! Your zest for life and your fantastic attitude will get you far! Here's to your goal of being the first Director in New Hampshire -- okay -- I know -- New England!!

To Shana, Megan, Shawna, and Jen M -- You are just starting and hopefully you will see that this company can really achieve your dreams and your goals. I can not wait to see the amazing growth that you can have with your business!

To Heidi & Linda -- when you joined, I said I would take you where ever you wanted to be! We will be here when you decide to hit the floor running or if you just want to enjoy some extra money! Either way -- lots of luck!

To my soon-to-be Dream Builders -- Sue and Krista! I can not wait to see your name as part of the team! You both will be awesome assets to the team!

To Jane -- what a weird world! Even though we are miles apart and on totally different teams -- a friend you have become! I am so glad I have a sounding board and a friend that I can share both the good times and bad times of Thirty-One! I can not tell you how happy I am that we met!

To Pam And Erin (at the home office) -- Okay -- nothing else to say -- except: Which Bed and Breakfast are y'all staying at? Seriously -- thank you so much for all your support and help. There were many little jams that I got myself into and somehow -- miraculously -- you both pulled me out and made me look great!

To Cindy and Julie (home office) -- your inspiration, beliefs and motivation for this company still amaze me a year later. I love this company, everything it stands for and everything it can be. I thank you for your foresight of making this an awesome company with awesome products!

Lastly -- to my sponsor/partner in this awesome company: Courtney! How incredible it is to me that you took me and signed me on even though I said to you "Don't think for a second, I will do the business!" How lucky that you didn't hold me to those words and you did offer me this wonderful gift of Thirty-One! I am so proud that I am the Director that helped push you to Senior Director! You have been a fantastic sounding board! Thanks for allowing me to build the team the best way I saw fit!

To anyone even thinking about Thirty-One -- I only have this to say -- I have only one regret about Thirty-One: I didn't start sooner! I am sorry that I did not see the opportunity or the belief of this fantastic company sooner, but I am glad once I did make the decision to do Thirty-One as a business I jumped in with both feet and never looked back. As I always say -- in this company and with the products and the opportunity -- there is only one way to go: UP!

Thank you everyone for helping me start to achieve my dreams! I am looking forward to seeing all of yours be achieved!

I am a Director!

With a HUGE shout-out to an amazing team I became a Director this weekend! It is truly amazing that this is has happened to me and to my family! Last year to the day, I signed on to be a consultant and told Courtney (my partner) "Don't expect me to do the business, I just want to make a few extra dollars."

Then I missed the Thanksgiving pageant with my daughter (see Silver Bells blog) and I realized I need to take this gift and run with it. So I really worked hard at growing the team and working with the partners on the team. My goal in December: to be a director by November 2008.

With some great people, a little hard work -- my team of four in December became five in January. The team of four in January and I finally became a Senior Consultant. With a great four-person team and some awesome home-office leads the team grew to 8 in February and then in March it became 16! I had four people who were direct to me qualify and I also hit the magical number of $4,000.00 in team sales!

Then it was a waiting game. When would I hit $4,000.00 for the month of April? Then it came. When I looked at the sales for the team on Sunday (4/20/2008) at 8:00 -- there is was $4050.92! I had my needed personal sales already in -- so I just needed my team sales! I was a Director! Six months before my stated goal and almost one year to the day -- I became a Director!

Winner of the Mother's Day Challenge!

Hello All:
As promised, today was the pick for the Mom's Day Challenge! Everyone did excellent! If you recall - for every $250.00 in sales you would receive a ticket from March 13 to April 20! The winner of the $50.00 in products goes to -- Daniell Rissinger! Special thanks to a little 5 year-old who choose the name out of a hat!

The amount of tickets issues per person were as followed:
Stacey: 3
Richelle: 4
Jenn Noon: 5
Daniell: 4
Libby: 7
Chrissy: 1
Candi: 1
Karen A: 2

The "Little Blue Box" Challenge is well on its way -- and I have a feeling it is going to be a tight race! We have some pretty big sellers out there! Remember you CAN NOT win unless you have two NEW Dream Builders that have $500.00 (each) in sales on your team. Some of you will have some awesome sales -- but there is more to the business than sales -- it is also building your team! I would feel very badly not giving the top prize to a member of the team who did indeed have great sales, but is failing to SHARE the gift of the business!

Good Luck and remember HAVE FUN!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Little Blue Box Challenge

I have Qualified for Director! Wow -- one year later and I could be a Director. Thirty-One is all about rewarding others, so to give rewards to those who have helped me get to where I am...I am offering an awesome incentive.... Here it is!

As you all know, I qualified to become a director -- with so much thanks to you! You may or may not know this, but Thirty-One offers a Director's Bonus. If I complete all the requirements of being a Director three months in a row (April, May and June) -- I will receive the bonus. Since you have helped me qualify for Director and are still helping me become a Director, I find it only fitting that you receive a chance to earn something in the "little blue box" from my bonus. I truly believe that Thirty-One has been a gift to me and so what better gift to give to each of you if you fulfill the incentive -- jewelry! GOOD LUCK!

So here is the "Little Blue Box" Tiffany Jewelry Challenge:
  • The Dream Builder with the HIGHEST TOTAL SALES over the months of April, May and June will win a product(s) of their choice from Tiffany & Co OR Lia Sophia up to $150.00! The winning Dream Builder MUST have at least 2 qualifying parties every month and sign-up two Dream Builders** over the three month period.
  • The Dream Builder with the Second Highest Total in Sales over the months of April, May and June will win a product of their choice from Tiffany & Co OR Lia Sophia up to $100.00! Once again, the winning Dream Builder MUST have at least 2 qualifying parties every month and sign-up two Dream Builders** over the three month period.

Lia Sophia Jewelry Challenge:
  • Any Dream Builder who has 2 qualified parties every month (April, May and June) and signs up at least two Dream Builders** over the three month period will win $50.00 of products (your choice) from Lia Sophia.
** Please note that in order for a recruited Dream Builder to count, the new Dream Builder must have at least $500.00 in personal sales entered no earlier than April 1st and no later than June 30th.

All jewelry will be ordered mid-July and should be received no later than mid-August.

Per A Request...

Hello! I sent the following e-mail to Amy after she sent me an e-mail saying she "has never been good at recruiting.."

Be forewarned it is not short...
"First, know you are not "recruiting people" you are building their dreams to be a reality....
You are helping someone take a phenomenal opportunity and letting them do what they need with the money.

I find those who are "horrible" at recruiting are looking at how can it help themself NOT how can it help the person they are bringing into the company. For instance, I have been given a "gift" and that gift is to be able to be a "homeroom mom" instead of the "homeroom teacher" for a year. Jen's gift is to help the family with finances and to get her out of the house. What is your gift? What gift can Jen and I give you? Once you find out what your Dream Builder's gift (sometimes called the "why") you work with getting them to that gift...

The first thing I EVER do when I talk with someone is -- what is your why? Why do you want to do this? And then I think -- okay how can I help HER (notice not me) achieve that dream. Jen bought a new mini-cooper. I am not sure what her car payment is, but I do know her first check was around $250.00 and she said it would cover the car payment. Jen now saw the success with the company the first month AND she was able to make a car payment -- she said "it would be nice if this would cover it every month..." Here is a why for her. Okay, "I said...your goal then should be $1000.00/month and you already know how to do that so...."

Also -- I try to sign everyone up with a launching party date. Sometimes due to schedule issues it may be later than I hope, but I have really tried to find a date that works for both of us and then count backwards three weeks. Like what you did....I am now telling all my possible dream builders... Okay -- let's look at a "grand opening" date. Count three weeks back and that is the date we will sign you up. That gives you plenty of time to get a party together and start booking parties BEFORE you are even signed up. You can borrow my product until you get yours...There is a level of trust that needs to be established, but that is part of the business...They will have their Start Swell completed and love all the "goodies" this company offers -- it is easy after that...

When I started out -- I contacted people who I knew were in Network Marketing before. I contacted people through vendor shows. I contacted people that had worked with me in Arbonne. I contacted people whose card I had stuffed into a "network pile" and I put a bug into their ear... Hey -- I started a new business. It's a new company!

Honestly, out of the six people who I think can truly be a Director next year this time -- 5 of them have been in direct sales before. Why? Two reasons for this: one -- they understand the business and it will take a bit of pressure off of me to explain how it works and (2) they understand the potential!

Who do you know from your prior experiences that are tired of their company? Who are tired of fighting and competing with others reps in the area? Those are the people you talk to... and you touch them three times...Show them this gift of Thirty-One. Show them that the potential to make money is more than any money they could be making when they are fighting for space with other reps. Show them and they will come and they will listen. There is a saying -- people need three touches before joining... Touch, touch and then touch..."

Friday, April 11, 2008

And the chaos begins...

I truly am a lucky woman when it comes to this company! Tomorrow begins my "two-week" frenzy of Thirty-One. I will be going to the PA Women's Expo at Kutztown University tomorrow to represent Thirty-One and to "show-off" our stuff!

On Sunday, I am doing a home-party for a friend! I can not wait to give her all the incentives she will earn for having this party -- and she has a pretty big list! Then on Friday, I go to yet another home party -- from a woman who booked from another show because she LOVES our products and thinks our parties are FUN! And my business doesn't stop there!

On the 26th -- I do yet another trade show in Fleetwood and then a "Grand Opening Party" for Sue -- who will be becoming a part of the Silver Bells on the 27th! It sounds like a whirlwind, but you know... I absolutely love it!

My goal for the month is to finish off my qualification for Directorship and accept the position! Even though they have raised the requirements for becoming a Director for the company, I believe in all this company can do and all that I can do with this company! You can call me -- Ms. Director if you please!
Come to think of it just call me Ms. Rich... because in four years I believe I will be rich in both friendships and money :-)

Monday, April 7, 2008

Wow.... What a day....

After a month of being off to take care of my daughter and myself, today was the first day back to teaching. After a full day of teaching, it was then off to school to sit in a three-hour class for my Master's class. As much as I love the fact that I am going for my Master's and teaching, I really missed not having a lot of time to work on Thirty-One...

I really can not wait until September when I will only need to teach three out of the five days because of the success of Thirty-One! Because I only need to teach part-time next year, Thirty-One is also giving me the opportunity to work on my thesis for my Masters! Something I was really concerned I would not have enough time to complete if I was working full-time!

42 more school days -- then it is watch out world -- the Silver Bells of Thirty-One are coming!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Monthly Recognition -- March!

Congratulations for all of your accomplishments -- Keep Up The Great Work!
  • Two Dream Builders on the team Qualified this month ($1,000.00 in Career Sales): Jenn Noon and Candi Johnson
  • Dream Builders who Completed Their Start Swell: Jenn Noon
  • Dream Builders Who Entered Their First Parties for the Month: Libby Aulenbach, Richell Shingle, Jenn Noon, Karen Antonaitis, Daniell Rissinger
  • Dream Builders who have Reached Out and Made a New Dream Builder as a Partner:
    • Stacey Smith -- MeganLyn Fulton (MA)
    • Jenn Noon -- Amy LaChance (NH)
    • Karen Antonaitis -- Jen Molyneaux (NY) and Shana Hensley (VA)
  • Dream Builders Who Reached $1,000.00 In Sales: Stacey Smith and Jenn Noon
Next month I will begin posting the results for the Tiffany Jewelry Challenge as well as who has won the Mother's Day Challenge!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Why the name "Silver Bells of Thirty-One" for the Blog?

Hey y'all...

Many of you know I went to Penn State for elementary education (computers was something I picked up along the way). In one of my classes -- Children Literature --one of my all-time favorite books was introduced to me. Before it became popular, I fell in love with the book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

If you have not read The Polar Express or seen the movie; it is about a boy who is not sure whether or not to believe in Santa Claus. Christmas Eve night the boy is whisked away with other children to the North Pole on a train called 'The Polar Express'. All the other little boys and girls with him can hear the sweet sound of the reindeer's silver sleigh bells EXCEPT him. Then he sees Santa and he begins to truly believe in both Santa and the magic of Christmas. Once he truly believes -- he begins to hear the sweet sound of the silver sleigh bells.

How does this relate to Thirty-One Gifts? I became a Dream Builder in April of 2007 but I did not start to grow my business until November of 2007. In November of 2007, I missed my daughter's Thanksgiving pageant because I needed to do my school's Thanksgiving pageant. I was heartbroken and felt like I needed to do something that would allow me to see the things my daughter was doing and I was missing because I was teaching.

I then began to open the gift of Thirty-One which I received in April and really began to believe in the opportunity. Since November I have quadrupled my team and Thirty-One has given me the freedom and the possibility to stay at home with my little girl -- and for the first time in a years -- I can be the homeroom mom!

It is because I chose to truly believe in the potential of Thirty-One that I am calling the page -- The Silver Bells of Thirty-One!