Thirty-One Gifts -- The Silver Bells

Wow! Almost at 1,000 Dreambuilders

2010-08-20T08:19:00.001-04:00

This morning I opened up my team statistics and I almost fell over. There are over 950 amazing women on the team -- and I estimate that soon I will hit 1,000!! I can not believe it! This year is amazing and I am so happy for everyone on the team.

Some of the stories that I hear from the women on the team are amazing. Women who are single moms that are raising children and are now able to work from home and support them, women who needed money to pay the mortgage and are now making more than they ever thought they could. We have women with Master levels degrees (like myself) and women that never finished high school.

YET...we all have something in common. The love of Thirty-One and the passion for getting things right!

Starting Again!

2010-08-13T01:15:00.003-04:00

WOW! I can not believe how much has happened since my last blog! It seems like just yesterday was my last blog. When I looked at the date -- I almost fell over! I do want to start this again as I do love it! I will make it a point to be better at it and try to do a post a week....

So let's see...where do I begin?
Well first! I did graduate from Kutztown University with my Master's Degree. I graduated with a 4.0! I was so happy that somehow (lack of sleep) I finished my degree and still had time to do Thirty-One while having a full time job.

Speaking of that full-time job...I resigned last year. Thirty-One and a full time job was getting too much for me and the potential for Thirty-One was too great to chance losing.

Speaking of Thirty-One...well where do I begin??? I promoted to Senior Executive Director in March of 2009! It is the highest position of Thirty-One! I now have 11 Directors (5 of them upper-level directors) direct to me and 31 Directors in the entire downline! I have over 900 consultants in my downline in over 36 states! It is crazy!

I went to National Conference the beginning of July and they stated that Thirty-One is set to explode in the next five years and double in size by the end of the year! That is crazy but I love it!

I will post more later -- but for now -- have a blessed day and keep checking back!

Two Directors in Qualifications...

2008-09-05T22:32:00.002-04:00

They say in the Direct Sales business there is nothing better than watching someone else get to where THEY want to go -- not where YOU want to go....I didn't really and truly understand that until August 30, 2008!

You see, I was up until around 11:30 PM working with Stacey and making sure that she would qualify for Director. She was close and only needed 300.00 more dollars and with the help of a team member -- she made it! Libby -- she made it earlier in the week, but Stacey was down to the wire....

Both girls DIQ'd in August and if all goes right -- each will become a Director this month! It was neat seeing Libby's signature on her e-mails "Director in Qualification" and then hearing Stacey talking about her first one-on-one call with Marcy. I am like the proud mama looking over her babies -- so happy for the way they have embraced Thirty-One and the way they are working with their teams.

I am SO very honored to have them on the Silver Bells team, and I am not sure how I got so lucky -- but I truly adore the team and everyone on it! I love being a part of this company and this team. I know that right now Libby and Stacey are excited -- but NO ONE is more excited for them than I am. They have worked hard for this and I can't wait to see them walk across that stage at the National Conference. Congrats ladies...enjoy this moment, savor it and remember it. This feeling is wonderful and I hope you can always enjoy it!

July Recognition

2008-08-20T07:22:00.001-04:00

Hello All:
Okay -- I will apologize in advance if I miss anyone or anything...I am usually more on top of everything but vacation mode is still going :-) A separate e-mail will be sent to welcome all of the new Dream Builders! Total Silver Bells team sales was a little over $21,000 -- and they say that July is the slowest month! HA!!

Just remember if these are your numbers for July -- you will more than likely (if you do this RIGHT) double these for the months of October and November!!!

Top Five In Sales!
Brandi Scott (MD) -- $4131.83
Libby Aulenbach (PA) -- $3753.77
Stacey Smith (PA) --- $1896.50
Sasha Heffelfinger (PA) -- $1747.40
Tracey Bailey (GA) -- $1364.42

Honorable Mention because they were SO close: Amy Moore-Adams ($1351.77) & Maureen Cox (1329.85)

Dream Builders Who Reached out and Made a New Dream Builder as a Partner:
Amy Lachance (2): Kimberly Perkins (ME) & Wendy Hansen-Vahle (IL)
Kim Wittreich (1): Kim Rondomanski (PA)
Stacey Smith (1): Georgia Mitchell (NC)
Brandi Scott (1): Melissa Urian (DE)
Katie Leach (1): Laura Guillot (LA)

Dream Builders Who Reached Over $1,000.00 in Personal Sales
Brandi Scott (MD)
Libby Aulenbach (PA)
Stacey Smith (PA)
Amy Moore-Adams (NC)
Maureen Cox (NY)
Sasha Heffelfinger (PA)
Tracey Bailey (GA)

Dream Builders Who Qualified this Month ($1,000 in career sales)
Tracy Bailery (GA)
Amy Moore-Adams (NC)
Kim Wittreich (PA)
Erin Eberly (PA)
Maureen Cox (NY)

Dream Builders Who Completed Their Start Swell (will receive $25.00 gift certificate)
Tracy Bailey (GA)
Amy Moore-Adams (NC)
Kim Wittreich (PA)
Erin Eberly (PA)

Dream Builders Who Entered Their First Parties This Month
(Please note that I do try to keep up with this -- if I missed you, please let me know)
Pat Woessner (MA)
Amy Moore-Adams (NC)
Melissa Urian (DE)
Tracy Bailey (GA)
Kim Wittreich (PA)

Tiffany Blue Box Challenge!

2008-07-01T10:20:00.001-04:00

Ladies:

I would like to ask each of you take the time to congratulate Libby Aulenbach - she is the winner of the Tiffany Blue Box Challenge!

Libby reached $5703.25 in sales (April, May and June) and recruited two girls each reaching $500.00 in sales. This is such an amazing win -- as no one else completed the challenge (to see what the challenge was -- please visit my blog)! She has already picked out the beautiful earrings she would like and she will be receiving them at the First PA Team meeting in August! Congrats!

June Recognition!!

2008-07-01T10:19:00.003-04:00

Hey y'all....

What an absolutely AWESOME month everyone had! I can not believe it! Everyone else is complaining that their sales are down and almost everyone's sales went up! Incredible! If this is what June looks like I can not WAIT to see what August, September, October and November are going to bring! Y'all will be sitting in some fat cash they way you are going!!!
Krista Y(PA) -- $2668.01
Gretchen M (PA) -- $2295.45
Libby A (PA) -- $2156.48
Karen A (NY) -- $2012.75
Stacey S (PA) -- $1848.25

** It is interesting to note here that of the five top sellers -- FOUR (including myself) of them completed the Phone call incentive that was offered in March. I will be offering it again in August!

Dream Builders Who Reached out and Made a New Dream Builder as a Partner:
Libby A (2): Kim W (PA) & Erin E (PA)
Gretchen M (2): Sasha H(PA) & Tracy B (GA)
Stacey Smith: Amy M- A(SC)
MeganLyn F Pat W(MA)

Dream Builders Who Reached Over $1,000.00 in Personal Sales
Krista Y (PA)
Karen A (NY)
Rhiannon F (PA)
Sasha H (PA)
Libby A (PA)
Richell S (PA)
Stacey S (PA)
Brandi S (MD)
Gretchen M (PA)

** It is interesting to note of the nine above -- six completed the phone call incentive and two of them were not part of the team yet. I do not know if listening to the thirtyone minute calls help or not -- but I must say it can not hurt!

Dream Builders Who Qualified this Month ($1,000 in career sales)
Krista Y(PA)
Rhiannon F (PA)

Dream Builders Who Completed Their Start Swell (will receive $25.00 gift certificate)
Krista Y (PA)
Sasha H (PA)
Rhiannon F (PA)

Dream Builders Who Entered Their First Parties This Month
(Please note that I do try to keep up with this -- if I missed you, please let me know)
Sasha H (PA)
Carolyn A (MD)Publish Post
Erin E (PA)
Anna K (VA)
Maureen C (NY)
Heidi M (PA)

Some neat Thirty-One Stats!

2008-06-16T17:08:00.000-04:00

Just got some statistics about the company from the Directors Call. First things first -- our company had its FIRST million dollars in SALES!!! YEAH! What an accomplishment for this company. Funny -- we are no even close to ground level -- still only 20% of what is considered ground level or with momentum!! Below is a statement from a website talking about ground level and what it means...

Other Facts:

Average Show for May: $410.00
Number of Active Consultants: 1,849
Number of Consultants with Sales in the month of May: 1,036
Number of Sign-Ups for the month of May: 273
Number of Directors: 50

I have also included the most recent map of Thirty-One (June 2008)! I signed up last year -- so I finally have a map of equal comparison (June 2007). Here are some very interesting highlights!

State 2007 2008
PA 15 43
AL 53 327
TN 101 199
NC 42 184

*** These are some GREAT statistics for recruiting ladies! I can not believe AL -- they have grown a little over 600% in ONE year! Who's state is next?? Remember ladies you need to talk the business NOT just sell the stuff if you want to grow at this rate! Where will we be in a year? Where will YOU be in a year?

Timing

When choosing a company you want to find a company that has not gone through momentum yet. You are looking for a ground floor opportunity, the challenge is finding one that is low risk (which of course is Thirty-One).

When the company hits five million dollars a month in a country the company will go into momentum. Once in momentum 80% of the distributors that will join the company will join. The next phase is stabilization and growth. Ideally you want to find a company in formulation phase or in the early stages of momentum. If you join a company in the stabilization phase it is very difficult to make any serious money. Combine a company that is about to go into momentum with the baby boomer trend and it is a huge wave.

http://www.fullerwell...

Congratulations Brandi Scott!!!

2008-06-12T11:34:00.002-04:00

Brandi has done something that no one on the Silver Bells Team has EVER done! She completed the Five for Five Challenge! She had five parties average over $500.00! Her total sales for the month were $3541.72 average a little over $700.00 a party!

The best part about this news -- it was her FIRST month as a consultant of Thirty-One! Just goes to show you the "Start Swell and Start Awesome" plan that Amy and Libby started is really working!!!

Congrats Brandi -- looking forward to seeing you rise to the top of Thirty-One!

May Recognition

2008-06-02T07:50:00.003-04:00

Hello All!
WOW! What a month! People are complaining about the summer months -- you guys are ROCKING!!

Dream Builders Whose Personal Sales were Over $1,000.00: Brandi Scott, Megan Lyn, Gretchen Manmiller, Stacey Smith and Libby Aulenbach

Dream Builders Who Completed Their Start Swell: Brandi Scott and Megan Lyn Fulton

Dream Builders Who Reached Out and Made A New Dream Builder A Partner:

Gretchen Manmiller : Anna Kim (VA), Susan Hoey (PA) and Krista Young (PA)
Libby Aulenbach: Rhiannon Fecera (PA)
Karen Antonaitis: Maureen Cox (NY)
Megan Lyn Fulton: Suzanne Burris (MA)
Krista Young: Katie Leach (LA)
Brandi Scott: Carolyn Ash (MD)

Dream Builders Who Qualified: Brandi Scott, Megan Lyn Fulton

People Who Beat Me Challenge!
I kind of liked this challenge -- so I may do it again in another month....keep an eye out for it!
Each of you will get 5% of the difference in Fall Products... So...I got booty whooped by three people:
My total sales for the month was: $1575.25
Brandi Scott took a name and then whooped it: Her total sales for the month -- $3541.72 -- a difference of $1966.47! I will owe her $98.00 in FREE fall products! OUCH!
Stacey Smith: Her total sales for the month were $2001.00 -- a difference of $426.00! I will owe her $21.25 in FREE fall products!
Megan Lyn Fulton: Her total sales for the month were $1860.00 -- a difference of $352.00!! I will owe her $16.75 in FREE fall products!

The Little Blue Box Challenge
Okay, ladies -- I thought this would be easier than it seems and I SO want to give jewelry out to y'all!
One more month to go and I really want you guys to make it! Please note that you MUST have two dream builders at $500.00 in sales in order for you to get the prize! Are talking about the company and the business -- the sales are phenomenal and your are sharing the product BUT are you sharing the dream? If you need help on what to say -- let me know! I am here for you!

Some of you have the sales but NO dream builders! One more month to go! I know you can do this!

Name
Stacey Smith $3551.55;

Dream Builders: 0 With Sales: 0

Libby Aulenbach $3546.77;

Dream Builders: 1 (very close to $500.00 in sales)

Brandi Scott $3541.72;

Dream Builders: 1 With Sales: 0

Gretchen $2580.75

Dream Builders: 4 With Sales:2

Karen Antonaitis $2399.05

Dream Builders: 2 With Sales: 0

Amy Lachance $2278.42

Dream Builders: 0 With Sales: 0

Megan Fulton $1860.60

Dream Builders: 1 With Sales: 0

Daniell Rissinger $1096.37

Dream Builders: 0 With Sales: 0

Jen Noon $1095.05

Dream Builders: 0 With Sales: 0

Here are the requirements as per an e-mail from 3/31/2008. Anyone may participate but it does go over a three month period:
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.

Amazing Brandi...

2008-05-20T23:33:00.002-04:00

Hey y'all...
Just wanted to let you know that we have a little firecracker down in Maryland! In two parties Brandi has submitted over $1,800.00 in sales and one was a catalog party!
Congrats to Brandi!

Also -- I wanted to let everyone know -- it is official -- new catalogs are out on August 1st! New consultant kits/requirements will begin July 1st!

Keep up the great work ladies -- summer will be gone before you know it and then comes "Money Time -- The Fall!" I know it sounds crazy -- but you should be thinking of the Fall and all you want to do!

April Recognition!

2008-05-14T08:37:00.002-04:00

Wow! What an awesome month! This has been fun and fantastic watching YOUR teams grow!

Congratulations to Stacey Smith -- The First Silver Bells Consultant to hit Senior Consultant!

Dream Builders Whose Personal Sales were Over $1,000.00

Gretchen
Libby
Stacey
Amy
Karen

Dream Builders Who Completed Their Start Swell:

Libby
Richelle
Daniell
Karen
Amy

Dream Builders Who Reached Out and Made A New Dream Builder As A Partner:

Gretchen -- Victoria Ringer (my grandmother :-) )
Karen A. -- Shawna Dougher (NY) & Michelle Swan (NY)

Dream Builders Who Qualified:

Libby
Daniell
Amy
Karen
Richelle

Dream Builders Who Entered Their First Parties: Amy Lachance.

Summer Sally and Planning Patty?

2008-05-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

Read this very carefully. What you decide will not only affect your summer business but will have a HUGE impact on your fall (potentially best) selling season EVER!

(Thanks to Jane Dunn for sharing this!)

Who will you be this summer?

SUMMER SALLY has three small children. She has been a Thirty-One consultant for 2 years and really loves it. But this summer, with the children involved in so many activities, Sally decided to take the summer off. She decided she would do one show at the end of May, turn it in in June, and take July and August off. To keep from going inactive, Sally wisely made sure she had a catalog show going so she would have $200 to turn in at the end of August. Sally really enjoyed her summer! She went to every ball game the kids had, took small day trips and weekend excursions, joined the local pool, got a great tan, worked around her house and spent every waking minute with the kids. What a great time they had. Sally was having so much fun; she forgot to send the catalogs to her catalog show host. By the time she remembered, the host was gone on her own family vacation. There was not time to make the catalog show count for August. Sally was in a panic. She got on the phone and put some orders together just in time to stay active, but found that no one from her shows 3 months earlier still wanted to do their shows. In fact, some had already had a show with another consultant because it had been so long. Now Sally had to work three times as hard at the end of the summer to get fall together, and she was missing some of the kids back to school activities. This just was not very fun. It was like starting all over again. Sally decided next summer would be very different.

PLANNING PATTY has three small children and looked forward to spending some extra time with the kids this summer. First, she looked at her calendar and marked off all the days that she really couldn’t work. She made it a priority to attend 3 of every 4 ball games the kids had. On the rare occasion she and her husband missed a game, Patty found that the kids liked it when the sitter or grandparents could take them and watch them play. Next, she planned one day trip each week, then she marked off several weekends where the entire family could “get away” or just do things around town. Patty’s next step was to work on her 31 Gifts calendar. She made it a goal to do 6 shows every month. She knew that to accomplish this, she would need to book 8 or 9 because of summer cancellations. She shared her plan at her shows on how she was going to enjoy her summer with her kids while working her own schedule. The money she was earning was paying for the weekend trips and special activities the kids were enjoying. She let them know how many nights she planned to work and that she only had a few dates left for whatever month she was booking. By sharing her story, Patty made other moms realize what a great job she had and Patty added two people to her team by the end of August. With 6 shows each month through the summer, Patty had a stack of leads for fall shows. She was ready to increase her show schedule and looked forward to paying for Christmas with cash!

Who will you be this summer?

Set Your Summer Goals

Income Shows Recruits

June

July

August

Silver Bells' First Senior Consultant!

2008-04-30T19:05:00.001-04:00

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!

Top Ten Selling Items

2008-04-28T09:05:00.001-04:00

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

13th Law -- The Law of Reproduction

2008-04-25T08:28:00.005-04:00

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

Shout Out To The Team!

2008-04-21T09:23:00.000-04:00

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!

2008-04-21T08:33:00.000-04:00

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!

2008-04-21T08:31:00.000-04:00

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!

The Little Blue Box Challenge

2008-04-12T21:53:00.000-04:00

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.

Per A Request...

2008-04-12T21:47:00.000-04:00

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..."

And the chaos begins...

2008-04-11T23:42:00.000-04:00

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 :-)

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

2008-04-07T22:25:00.000-04:00

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!

Monthly Recognition -- March!

2008-04-04T20:37:00.001-04:00

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!

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

2008-04-02T21:45:00.000-04:00

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!