What to look for when choosing a Direct Sales company...

When you're looking at the prospect of working from home or finding a way to supplement your income, Direct sales is often the go to. However, with a world of possibilities when it comes to what product and which company,  it can become overwhelming quickly.
Below are my top 6 things to look for when choosing a Direct Sales company:

1. Are they a member of the DSA? 
    The DSA (or Direct Sales Association) is a group that seeks "To protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers." (from DSA.org)
   Choosing a company who is a part of the DSA, let's you know that the company is being held to a strict code of ethics that is meant to protect both the customer and consultant. It also protects you from companies who run a 'pyramid scheme' as they are not allowed admittance into the DSA organization. In a nutshell, choosing a company in the DSA protects you from the crazies. :) To see if the company you're considering is a member, use this link to do a search... DSA MEMBERS

2. Is a product you could be or are passionate about?
     Passion is everything! It doesn't make sense to become a consultant for a product you wouldn't use yourself or recommend to family or friends. If you wouldn't recommend it, how can you sell it? When you are excited about the product, talking about it becomes second nature and that means success in your new business. Never join a company to 'help a friend' even if it's not something you love. It won't do either of you any good.

3. What will your initial investment be?
     Ask what the cost of the start up kit will be and if there is any other required purchases you will have to make to begin. Also know ahead of time if there will be any monthly or yearly fees you will have to pay. You don't want things like this to sneak up on you when it's too late. Knowing before hand will let you know if it's something you can handle as your  business grows. Every company will have small costs like catalogs, order forms etc., but beyond that, what is needed? Also, while you have to spend money to make money, you shouldn't have to go into immense debt to do it. A company that offers a credit card to purchase their kit would be one I would personally shy away from. Also know whether the company requires you to carry inventory and whether it is something you'd be comfortable or have the space to do.

4. What kind of support is available to you?
  Do they have training calls or a place for resources to be readily available to you? What about regional meetings or a convention? Will you have direct support from your sponsor or be able to be in contact with other consultants for ideas and encouragement? No one wants to be left stranded trying to figure these things out on their own. We all need guidance and having it will give you the best start possible and help you maintain longevity in your new business. Ask your potential sponsor what they offer in the way of training and support and make sure it is enough that would give you the confidence to do well.

 5.  When you've found something you're interested in, ask questions!
   Whether it's through the company directly or a consultant you know, ask the questions that are most important to you. What is their compensation plan like? Will you pay the hostess reward fees? What will having a website cost? What are the monthly minimums etc.? Knowing the answers will help guide you in making a decision that will be best for where you're at and what you'd like to get from your new business. Be sure you're asking someone who is trustworthy and you feel is providing you with honest information.

6. Do your morals line up with theirs?
  Simple as that. If your heart can't connect with that of the companies mission statement or desire purpose, it probably isn't the Direct Sales company for you.



 I'd all but given up on the hopes of working from home when Scentsy came my way. I made the decision to join after learning by trial and error what to look for. I had decided then that it would be the LAST attempt at direct sales. If I failed, that was it. Thankfully, it has thrived beyond our expectations and so it will indeed be my last, but only because I plan on staying forever. :)

Previous to Scentsy, I was a consultant for 2 other Direct Sales companies and my time spent with both was very short, less than 6 months. What I thought were going to be great ways for me to make money for my family, ended up not working out. Had I followed this list, I would have saved my time and money until I found the perfect fit in my current roll as a consultant with the Scentsy Family.

 If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Scentsy Family consultant, I'd love to chat! If you have any additional tips, please feel free to share in our comment section below.

www.kickinwicks.com

ATTENTION: No worrying necessary

Ever have one of those weeks where everything seems all sunshine and unicorns and then one small thing throws it all of course?

Well, that's what last week was for me.

Now let me preface this post by saying that by nature, I'm a worrier. I like to know exactly what's going on at all times and anything 'unplanned' or spontaneous makes me anxious. My sweet husband is the 'roll with the punches' kind of guy while I'm like "punches? What punches? AHHHHH!!! PUNCHES!!!" :)

I feel like it's important for you to know this so you know why I react to things the way I do. I like structure and predictability because that's what gives me peace.

And now all that unravels.... :)

I was headed out on Thursday to run some errands and grabbed my mail. There, inside the mailbox, was the piece of paper that through my day into a tailspin. A notice from our mortgage company telling us that our monthly payment would be increasing by $300! GASP! 

In a moment, I flew into panic. I started making phone calls while trying to hold back the tears choking in my throat. "Why is this happening?" "How will we afford this" "What will we do?" were only a few thoughts that went racing through my head. This was piled on top of some other situations that just simply caused my heart to go into panic mode.

In between calls, as I waited for answers, the tears came. As we drove on to our errands, my little girls were asking why I was upset. I gently replied that it wasn't for them to worry about. That there are things that happen and they're for mommy and daddy to worry about and not them. That is when my oldest daughter, Kate, very quickly replied, "No, it's not for you to worry about. It's for God to take care of."

Wow...right? I mean, she's 8 and half. Where does this kind of knowledge come from? I truly believe that God was using her to catch my attention in that moment and man, did He ever.

She was right. He is right.

I battled with emotions, frustrations, and calls all day long and into the evening and Kate's comment just kept coming back to me. As I laid in bed that night, I prayed about the situation. I told God that He asks us to lay every worry, care and concern at His feet and that's what I was doing. After all, this is one of those situations that only He was going to be able to fix. I asked for His intervention and His peace. 

When I woke the next day, I prayed the exact same thing again. Not only that, but I made the decision that I would not be letting this situation be the master of my day. I decided that any time the problem came in my head that day, that I would quickly shut it down and give God praise for something I was thankful for. Not only did that bring the peace I needed throughout the day, but it kept my heart distracted from worry.

And praise be to Him because by 4pm that day, we had our resolution! In a BIG way! Isn't God amazing???

He is the master of making opportunity from our circumstances.

So this is what I want to share with you. The first being is that we have no need to fear. We have no need to be concerned. God is the peacemaker. He is our Father is knows the needs each and every one of us have. Especially for those like me that need to feel like they're in control, letting go and letting God can be a huge challenge, but I can guarantee that His outcome will always be better than anything we can strum up.

The second is that when your heart is troubled, whether it be over finances, an illness, a situation with another person, that one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is praise. To choose in those quiet moments, when the scary things creep in, to stop and give God praise. Thank him for resolution in those situations or simply give Him praise for something else, but praise Him! He dwells in the praises of His people. 

I want to encourage you, as much as I need to remind myself, that God is in the details. He so desires us to lay our burdens at His feet. To give every tiny fear or unrest to Him. It's in faith that we do this, but in His love for us that He replies. When we feel like our world is out of control, that He is the master of it.

Sweet friends, I want to encourage you today to remember that your life isn't for you to worry about, but for God to take care of. 

-Amanda

From the Word:

6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry—I am with you.
    Don’t be afraid—I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you. Isaiah 41:10

People might make many plans, but what the Lord says is what will happen.

Proverbs 19:21

I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11

Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9