Wednesday, December 28, 2011

My Epiphany

I figured out what my problem is with this business. I see that it is a simple business. I see how it works. I see the income potential. I have deposited nice checks into my bank account. I enjoy what I do. I know how to network. I know how to approach people. It is a simple, simple busines, and I am really excited about it.
So, what is my problem? My problem is that I see everything. I automatically assume that others can see the same things that I do and share in my excitement. Then I get frustrated when they don't get it or aren't excited. My problem is that I am so over-excited about this business that I scare people away. I just want everyone to see what this business is, get excited about it, and succeed.

I hate getting the objections, but that is a part of the business. And the cancellations from the people that I have enrolled on my team are part of the business, too. I have enrolled 51 people since I joined on August 7. FIFTY-ONE!!! Of those 51, 17 have cancelled so far and I believe at least three more will be cancelling next month. Still, I have 34 people that I personally enrolled onto my team, and a total of 89 people on my team. There are going to be cancellations. One of the training CDs that I listened to compares the business to driving. If you park your car, you aren't going to get any exhaust. If you drive slowly, you're going to get a little exhaust. If you put it into high gear, you are going to have a lot of exhaust. You can't worry about the exhaust, but just focus on the road in front of you. That's some advice that I really, really need.

The business is a simple one: You enroll people, you shop for your own products, you earn money.  Is it easy to get people to enroll? Not necessarily. A lot of people think that it is a scam, and it's not. A lot of people overthink the business, which is silly because it is such a simple concept. Many people approach the business as a sales job, which is TOTALLY wrong. A lot of people get frustrated when they get objections. Objections are a part of this business, as are cancellations. You just can't get discouraged.

My epiphany? I need to take my own advice.

ARMCHAIR MILLIONAIRE TALLY:

GOAL: $1,000,000.00

TOTAL EARNED: $3,095.58

REMAINDER UNTIL GOAL: $996,904.42

Monday, December 26, 2011

MY Business, MY Terms!

I hate when people try to shove things down my throat about things I "have to" and "don't have to" do. When I started this business, it cost me $1 to enroll, plus 9 cents for tax. I went shopping for $67.04. My total money spent my first month came to $68.13 and my check was $839.26. With the $67.04, I bought some hand soap, dog shampoo (which reminds me, my stinky chihuahua totally needs a bath), crackers, toothpaste, foot spray and a couple of other grocery items. The second month, I spent $238.06 and earned $754 and change. The third month, I spent $71 and change, and made $712. The fourth month, I spent $62 and earned $862. I have earned $3,095.56 and have spent under $450. My profit so far with this company is over $2645, if you include what I spent on shopping for my own items.

I like this business because it is so simple: Refer friends and earn money. Enroll them as either customers or as business builders, and you earn money. Of course, enrolling business builders is more desireable simply because business builders that you enroll help your business grow. Customers are great, too, because that is residual income ALL of the time.

The ladder of success with this company is a simple concept. "All you have to do" is achieve the following rungs to achieve success:

1) Enroll 8 people. You will earn a minimum bonus of $100. You have achieved the rank of Director.
2) Enroll a minimum of 10 people, and have 10 others below you that either you or someone else enrolled. You will earn a minimum bonus of $200. You have achieved the rank of Director II.
3) Help someone you enrolled become a Director. You will earn a minimum bonus of $300. You have achieved the rank of Director III.
4) Help four others you enrolled become a Director. You will have earned a minimum of $6,600 in bonuses while developing these directors. You have achieved the rank of Senior Director. Congratulations! You have qualified for a $400/month car bonus!

That is the first ladder that I am climbing. Right now, I am in-between rungs three and four. It gets SO frustrating that people don't understand this business. The first rung of the ladder is to become a director and enroll eight people. That's it. I enrolled eight people in nine days. (I actually enrolled 23 people in 17 days, and double advanced to Director II in my first month.) One of the people that I developed to director stopped working her business because she decided to open her own baking business. Three people cancelled, dropping her to Marketing Executive IV. She cancelled. I get it.

Someone else that I enrolled and helped get to Director last month had two people cancel, dropping her back down to Marketing Executive IV. It seems to me that she has given up trying this month, which is SO frustrating to me. I know that she'll make Director again, but I really need to get someone to Director by the end of this month. (How about YOU? Would YOU like to work from home?)

I can't MAKE people want to build their business. I can't MAKE them want to earn money. It is unbelievably frustrating, since there is such a simple formula to make money from home: Enroll friends; shop for your own products; earn money, repeat. It isn't rocket science. It's a simple formula to make money from home.

Yet, people do not seem to grasp the idea. They overthink it. They over-analyze it. They think it's too good to be true. They won't try. Why not?? Can someone PLEASE tell me why it is so difficult to grasp and follow this concept? YARGH.

The items that the company sells are products that people would buy in the store ANYWAY... Shampoo, deodorant, conditioner, soap, laundry detergent... It's not like having to lay out extra money for an inventory or for products you wouldn't normally use. You are just switching stores. The products are better quality, all-natural and less expensive. I don't get it.

When I did Mary Kay, I was told that I HAD to purchase a minimum of $200 every two months as an inventory. I HAD to do skin care classes and parties and whatever. My Unit Director was ordering inventory for everyone and sending it to herself so that she could keep her title. It was awful. I haven't sold Mary Kay in two years, and I still have products that I'm listing on eBay.

When I did PartyLite, I HAD to buy a $199 kit with all sorts of products in it. I HAD to have parties. I HAD to meet a quota. I hate selling, so what was the point of me even trying this business? And I still have PartyLite products that I'm listing on eBay.

The same story went for Avon, Aloette, Pampered Chef and MonaVie. I was DONE with these businesses, so I started my own travel & event planning business, Candy Cain Travel. I didn't want to go work for someone else, so I started my own business. When I started with this work from home company in August (2011), I was skeptical. But I've made just under $3100 in four months. It is residual income that I can count on. I get it. Why doesn't anyone else???

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Change Your Life For $1

I haven't written in a while, and I'm sorry. I have been outrageously busy this month with traveling, getting ready for the holidays, working with new people, trying to help others with their business, growing my own, etc. You get the idea. UNBELIEVABLE busy, and my blog is what has suffered. Sorry about that. I'll try to be better.

First and foremost, I made Director III this month. I'm so excited! With that came a $600 bonus, which is being paid out in three monthly installments. My check was over $700. Take a look:


So, that brings my total to $2,271.87 since August 7 of this year. That averages to over $750 per month. Not too shabby, if you're asking me-- Especially since this is something that I am still doing on a part-time basis. I don't have the ability to do it full-time at the moment, but I hope to in 2013. (2012 is riddled with seminars, destination weddings and conferences all over the world.)

It is usually $29 to join my team. Until November 30, it is a mere $1. You enroll, confirm, and go shopping for products you would buy at the grocery store anyway. Oh, did I mention that you are guaranteed $500 if you enroll eight (8) people by the end of the month? Yeah, you heard me. $500 guaranteed for enrolling eight people that confirm and shop, too.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am thankful that I joined my best friend, Dionne, and started this side business. This is a major roller coaster ride with all of the ups and downs, but it is also a lot of fun. Email me if you'd like to get on the ride, too. And, hey, it's a buck until the 30th.

ARMCHAIR MILLIONAIRE TALLY:

GOAL: $1,000,000

EARNED: $2,271.87

TOTAL NEEDED UNTIL GOAL: $997,728.13

Friday, October 28, 2011

That's Why it's Called WORK From Home, People...

I apologize for not writing for a few weeks. Things have been so stinkin' busy here with my "real" job. I've been traveling quite a bit this month. As a matter of fact, I went to Denver / Cheyenne this week and became a Gold Member with American Airlines. Considering that this was on my "Bucket List,"I am totally thrilled. I can't wait to put my elite status to use when I fly next.

I must admit, I have gotten a little frustrated with my WORK from home team. Notice I write "WORK" in all capital letters. That's because there are so many people on my WORK from home team that forget that they have to WORK in order to make money. These people get frustrated when they "only" get small checks based on the WORK that I have done. (Yes, work that I have done, as everyone on my team has the opportunity to earn commissions from the people placed below them in the organizational tree.) Most of the people that I have personally enrolled have earned some sort of check, even if it is just $2. However, they do not understand that their checks will be a lot bigger if they actually did some WORK themselves.

I've given the instructions. I've held hands with people. I've pretty much done the WORK for them, yet they still don't understand that they still have to do something in order to earn money. It isn' a welfare system where you don't do anything and get checks sent to you. Sheesh.

The problem is that I want this change for me and my family. I own a very successful travel agency, but it has a lot of headaches. I'm not going to lie-- There are some days where I wish I didn't have the agency at all. Should this business keep going well, I'm going to close my business and do it full time.

I can't make people want to change their lives for the better. I can give them the opportunity, the tools and the instruction, but I certainly can't give them the drive. They have to get that themselves and want to change their lives for the better.

My best friend said, "You can either make money or you can make excuses, but you can't make both." Words to live by. If you want to change your life for the better, I can help you. I will help you. but, if you don't want to WORK towards changing your life, find someone else's business.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Armchair Millionaire II

Before checks are sent out, I wanted to update my Armchair Millionaire tally:

GOAL: $1,000,000

EARNED: $1,100.66

TOTAL NEEDED UNTIL GOAL: $998,899.34

** Please note that I am NOT using money from any other source of income. I want the $1,000,000 to come directly from this side business.

Tomorrow night, some of my friends are coming over for wine, hors d'ouerves and to learn more about this business opportunity. During the day, I have a few follow-up phone calls to make for members of my team. I would really, really, really like to develop a couple of directors this month. I want the people on my team to succeed the way that I have!!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Win A Prize for Reading My Blog!

Me having my makeup done before addressing the camera.
I'm a really fortunate person. I always have been, and I count my blessings for that every day. Yes, I work hard, but I love, love, love entering contests and competing. After all, if you don't enter, you can't win! Throughout my life, I've won jewelry, trips, cash, clothes... Tons of stuff. I offer contests and incentives to my team, because that is what motivates me. Every time there is an incentive offered by corporate, I do my best to hit that incentive. I just want to win.

You can imagine my delight when I received an email from My Memories, offering me a prize to give away to a blog reader as well as for someone on my work-from-home team. How fun! They gave me the $80 scrapbooking suite, plus a $20 coupon for their website. So, if you would like to enter to win this prize, please leave a comment below. If your name is drawn, you will be contacted.  This contest ends on October 31. I'm so excited to award a prize to someone!

Incidentally, I cashed out another Direct Deposit of $139. Talk about excited! Here is the tally of what I have earned towards becoming an armchair millionaire:

MONEY RECEIVED: $1,036.26
AMOUNT REMAINING: $998,963.74

Yahooo! I am over $1,000 on my way toward my goal! I can't wait until checks are sent out on October 15. If I did my calculations correctly, I will not be hitting Director III this month, but Dionne just might hit Director IV. Danielle should still be at Director, and a couple of other people on our team are soooo close to being there. It is so much fun to watch everyone earn money and change their lives. If you would like to join my team, please send me an email and let me know.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Money, Money, Money


This is just a quick post because I got my bonus check today... $206.06. Truth be told, I thought it was going to be more. I didn't realize that the advancement bonuses are paid over three months. Oh, well-- Forced savings, I guess! Regardless, I'm really excited. My birthday is on Friday, and I'm taking a bunch of my gal pals out to brunch on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to it, and this check is going to pay for it. Happy 35th birthday to me!

I just wanted to update my million dollar tally....

MONEY RECEIVED: $897.26
AMOUNT REMAINING: $999,102.74

Friday, September 16, 2011

Priorities, People.

I am so sad and angry and frustrated right now. One of my best friends (who, by the way, just joined my team two days ago) found out yesterday that she has a pre-cancerous lesion inside her uterus and needs a full hysterectomy ASAP. However, she isn't going to get it done unti mid-December. Why? Because she works for one of those home party companies... You know, the ones where you do "skin care parties" and people shop for cosmetics and skin care. She is a Director for this company and doesn't want to let her team down, lose her productivity, and fail to meet her quota, which would mean that she would lose her car bonus and take a big hit financially.

She is going to risk CANCER to maintain her at-home business.

WTF is the point of working from home if you have to get surgery - LIFE SAVING SURGERY, no less - and have to worry about "losing everything"??? I'd rather work a 9-5 desk job where I could call on the Medical Leave Act and protect my rights. I'm so, so, so upset for her, with her and about her situation right now, I can't even express myself to you. I was hoping that writing this blog entry would make me feel better, but now I'm just crying on my couch, and I have to pick up my twins from pre-school in ten minutes.

I've known her for ten years. We've been with each other through thick and thin. And she's letting her freaking garage inventory put off this surgery. That's just not okay with me.

My FIRST Priority, no matter what.
I found this all out last night. I could barely sleep. I have been thinking about it since getting off the phone with her. And, I started taking inventory of my own life. I have three year old twins, Catherine and Charles. They are the biggest priority in my life. They are number one (I can lump them together, because they are twins). I need to be here for them, at least until they graduate high school and can stand on their own two feet. I'm overweight and don't take the best care of my health, and I'm turning 35 a week from today. I need to get my act together. I actually did start taking vitamins that I ordered from the company that I work from home for a few days ago, so that is definitely a step in the right direction.

I want my kids to have a GREAT life. My mom raised me and my sister by herself, and we had a GREAT childhood. In retrospect, I can see how difficult that was for my mom-- a divorced woman on a teacher's salary with two kids that didn't get child support from their deadbeat dad. It must have been one helluva struggle. I don't want to struggle. That's why I try so many different businesses, I think. Sure, I've got a successful travel and event planning company, but I don't ever see myself bring a millionaire with that. So, I dabble elsewhere. I write. I teach seminars.  I mystery shop. I do everthing I can in order to bring in more money for my family. I work hard. Maybe I work so hard because I have that inherent fear that my kids are going to lack something in their lives, and I want to make sure that I am able to provide them with whatever they need, until they can work for it and get it themselves. Even then, I don't want them to have any school loans or other debt as they enter adulthood. Money has always been a stress for me, and I refuse to talk about it. I'm just taking care of it myself. I'll tell everyone how I eliminated my debt when I do, but, until then, mum's the word.

When my twins were born, they were seven weeks early. I nearly died three times during delivery. They stayed in the NICU for thirteen days. I had an incredibly difficult delivery, then got into a car accident when they were six months old and had to have shoulder surgery. I relied so heavily on my husband (who is a police officer) to pay the bills. It was an unexpected and unfair position to put him in, and I feel outrageously guilty for it. Why? Because I've never had a steady salary. I don't have a pension like him. I don't have a 401K. I don't have an IRA. I don't even think I'm going to get social security when I'm old enough. Seeing what sacrifices my friend has to make in fear of financial issues - perhaps even the ULTIMATE sacrifice - has shaken me to my core.

By now, you must be wondering why I am writing this blog entry in this business blog. Well, I've been doing quite a lot of research about this business I've joined, and I have learned a lot about it that is going to help with my entire family's financial future. I know that there are MILLIONS of people that do not have jobs in the USA and Canada right now that are looking for something-- for some way to make a change. They have to do something to get off of unemployment and build their future. I've never, ever, EVER been on unemployment - not that there is anything wrong with that - but I know that I need to change things in my life. I'm 35 years old. Yes, I have life insurance, but what happens when that life insurance policy runs out? Will my kids be able to go to school? Will they struggle? My Aunt, whom I loved very dearly, was killed at age 39 and left four kids behind. She had a big life insurance policy, but she died 11 years ago, when they were young. What do they have left from that policy? Not much, if anything at all. My friend's cousin just had to have quadruple bypass surgery-- at the age of 40. FORTY! You just never know when it's your time, and it is my responsibility to make sure my kids are prepared financially, should that (God forbid) ever happen. I'm writing this in my business blog because I think it is going to change the perspective of a lot of people that read this entry.

I have only been doing this work-from-home business for about six weeks. I love it. I can honestly see myself selling my travel and event planning business (although I'd still do some destination weddings, because I love them so much) in a few years, dependent upon how much I am actually making with this company. I know in my hert of hearts that I am going to be a success. This company makes it easy for ANYONE to succeed at it. Here are the twelve success factors why (as named by their most successful work-from-home Marketing Executive, but described by yours truly):
  1. COMPANY TRACK RECORD: This company has been around since 1985. It is an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and has even won the coveted Torch Award.
  2. FINANCIALLY SOUND:  This company is completely debt-free and has never been late in sending out profit checks to their at-home marketing executives.
  3. STRONG MANAGEMENT: The CEO has won many awards, such as 2001 Entrepreneur of the Year, and even sat on the DSA Board of Ethics. The management team is not involved in any "uplines" or "downlines," unlike those found in MLMs. Team is principle-centered and mission-driven. Many of the corporate leaders come from Fortune 500 companies.
  4. UNIQUE CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS: They sell products that people are already buying, but are higher quality and better for you because they are all-natural. Many products have patents and/or are patent-pending. Marketing Executives don't have to create a need to buy; customers use the products in their homes every day.
  5. COMPETITIVELY PRICED: The prices of the products sold by this company is equal to or less expensive than what people can purchase in the store.
  6. HIGH REORDER RATE: This company has a 95% reorder rate. They even provide their Marketing Executives a business report every month.
  7. LOW PERSONAL PRODUCTION REQUIREMENT: You don't invest anything into this company or purchase any inventory. You just switch stores.
  8. LOW ENTRY FEE: It costs $29 to enroll, which is a one-time fee. The enroller is not paid a bonus on your enrollment. No inventory is purchased when you enroll-- The $29 is ALL you need to pay to enroll, and can be refunded if you aren't happy and cancel within four months.
  9. LOW ATTRITION: In other companies, if the customer didn't order, they had to quit. This company has products with enough value where customers are repeat customers.
  10. TIMING: You don't have to "get in early" to make a lot of money. People actually build a business, and don't have to "get in & get out" to turn a profit. "Green" is really "in", and this company has been "green" for over 25 years. Their products are already proven to withstand the test of time.
  11. NO BREAKAWAYS: You don't get penalized if someone you enroll "passes" you. Your team can never be given to someone else. NOT a binary plan.
  12. NO RISK: Everything - even the enrollment fee in the first four months - is fully refundable. No one can be hurt by the structure of the company. This is something that EVERYONE can do, regardless of education, socioeconomic status, location, age (18 and over, of course) or anything else. If you know the 80% / 20% rule, this business is something that the 80%ers can do.
Me and Dionne
Virtually everyone needs a Plan B. Know what? This is a darn good Plan A. My best friend, Dionne, realized that she wanted this to be her Plan A two years ago. I'm starting to realize it now. I can absolutely see how lucrative this business can be, and I am unbelievably excited about it. I want all of my friends to join my team, so that they can find financial freedom with me. I see the burdens of finances affecting too many people that I care about. Now to see someone have to choose between "losing everything" and risking losing their life... And actually choosing the risk of cancer ofer financial strain????? That just blew my mind. I never, ever, ever want to be put in that position. If you're reading this blog, you shouldn't put yourself in that position, either. Shoot me an email if you want to talk about joining my team. I'm determined to become a success. Aren't you?

As for my friend, please say a prayer for her. Please pray that the cancer doesn't mastaticize before her hysterectomy. Please pray that she made the right decision. While you're at it, please pray for yourself and that you will NEVER have to be in a position to have to make a decision like that, either.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

For My Team

For some reason, the picture of the tree isn't loading properly into the FaceBook group for my team. This is how our family tree looks right now:


I don't know why it looks so small. I'm irritated I can't get it bigger. Grr. Well, you can see we're getting bigger. Very excited.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

NO, IT'S NOT AMWAY!

I swear, if one more person asks me if this is Amway, I'm going to scream. NO, IT IS NOT AMWAY!!! Amway is one of the at-home companies I have never gotten involved with. One of my good friends actually works Amway, and has to lay out over $300 per month. This is ABSOLUTELY not that. No freaking way. I would never, ever, ever get involved in another business where I have to lay out hundreds of dollars per month to make maybe $50. Thanks, but no thanks.

A lot of people that listen to the webcasts that my team and I do say that it is "to good to be true." It's not. I just cashed out another $71 via direct deposit, bringing my total so far to $691.20. Checks are being mailed out tomorrow, which I absolutely CANNOT wait for. Even if I just earned the $691.20, that is far more than any other at-home business I've ever profited from: Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Aloette, PartyLite, Monavie... I've tried tons. I wish I tried this first-- There would have been absolutely NO reason for me to do any of the others. Honestly, if I did this when I started Aloette back in 2002, I would most likely be living high on the hog right now. But, everything happens for a reason. It's all about timing, and this was the time that I was supposed to start this business.

When you advance with this company, you are rewarded. You can actually climb the steps of success and do very well. You start out as a marketing executive. Once you grow your team by eight, you become a director. Honestly, the business opportunity is so fantastic that I achieved the rank of Director in nine days. With that, I received a bonus of $200 (because I'm on pacesetter schedule) and had the opportunity to go out to dinner with some folks from the company-- and the company picked up the tab.

At this Director Celebration, which was held at a beautiful restaurant called Piccolo's in Mineola, I was able to meet several folks that have succeeded with the company. They welcomed me with open arms, and I was all by myself. It was awesome. At this dinner, I received my Director Certificate, pin and bracelet. (I've blocked out any identifying markers of the company because I don't want anyone to know what the company is, unless they ask me.) I was so proud.

What is really cool is that I actually advanced to Director II with the company, and will be able to attend another Director Celebration next month! I'll get my Director II pin and certificate. I'm moving right along, that's for sure. All this in less than a month. No magic, just talking to people. I love it.

I was actually caught off guard at the Director Celebration. One of my friends that enrolled made Director as well. No one was really surprised-- She's almost as social as I am. Well, I was acknowledged for developing a director, too! They gave me another lovely certificate, and acknowledged me in front of all of their team members. ALL of the team members clapped for me. It was awesome. I felt really accomplished. It made me want to do it all over again-- Which, I suppose, is what these Director Celebrations are supposed to do. I was bummed that Danielle wasn' able to go with me, but I'll be able to tell her all about it so she can go next month. After all, she is getting her congratulatory phone call from the company tomorrow. So, technically, she is becoming a Director in September. Everyone knew that I was a director in August, so I was able to go. I got my congratulatory call yesterday for becoming a Director II, so I know that I can go. My goal this month is to become a Director III. (Honestly, I'd like to hit Director VI by the end of the month, but I'm going to Mexico for a couple of days, so that might not happen.) Baby steps...

I took a direct deposit of $71 today. I wanted to let it accumulate, but I have a payment coming due for gymnastics for the kids, and I thought I'd pay for one of them with that. So, my tally for my million dollar goal:

MONEY RECEIVED: $691.20
AMOUNT REMAINING: $999,308.80

I can do it. Everyone can, if they have a strong team behind them. Why not join mine and come on my million dollar journey with me?

Monday, September 12, 2011

The Deal

I love my husband. I do. We've been married for six years, and we are completely opposite. COMPLETELY. You have no idea. He's rational. I'm creative. He's traditional. I'm contemporary. He's level-headed. I'm hot-tempered. You get the idea.

Well, with my first bonus payment of $620.20, I paid off our Lowe's credit card and closed the account. To celebrate, we went out to dinner. I told him about the company that I had been working with for the past month, and he said, "It's a scam." I explained to him how it's not a scam, and how I am poised to make a serious amount of money. "You'll never make more than $5,000 in a year," he said. "No one will be able to. These kids of companies just aren't set up that way."

On the way home, I had him listen to a CD that I had been listening to that I purchased from the company. (Incidentally, I purchased the CD because I wanted to, not because it was required of me.) he laughed out loud during the whole thing. He told me this morning that listening to the CD made the whole thing even worse for him, solidifying in his mind that the whole thing is a scam. I was so frustrated, especially since how I saw the company was working for me. I even pointed out to him that I earned $620.20 so far.

"Yeah, sure," he said. "How much did you have to spend to earn that?" Honestly, I spent $68.13. So, my profit this month was $594.07 just in my bonuses. Checks are sent out on the 15th of every month, so I'm not entirely sure what I am going to earn based on the commissions from everyone else's orders. I do know that I'm going to get half of my advancement bonus this month and the other half next month-- $300 each month. And I have $50 from developing a director. I don't know what else there is.

While we were talking at dinner, after he made the $5,000 comment, I told him that I was going to make it to the top tier in this company. Sighed and shook his head, as if to say, "Poor, naive Candice." he has seen me do Mary Kay, Aloette, Pampered Chef, Party Lite... You name it... And fail at it. I never turned a true profit. At least, not like this. And I had to spend upwards of $100 to enroll in each of them.

But what I am doing now is different. he doesn't believe me.

So, we made a little deal. With this company, when you advance to the highest tier, you actually given a big bonus check on the stage at the yearly convention. As I have mentioned in one of my very first blog entries, I saw two people receive these checks at convention One for $181,000 and the other for $163,000. I told my husband that when I make this tier, he has to open the check on the stage in front of everyone, after telling them what he said to me and about my business. He has to tell everyone at the convention that he told me that I wouldn't be able to earn more than $5,000 per year. And then HE will open the check.

Forget the million I want to earn. having my husband do that on stage is worth waaaaay more to me.

As I was driving to the bank, my regional director called me to congratulate me on that morning's new team member. I told him about the conversation with my husband on 9/10/11 and what I wanted to do. He made notes on my file, and told me that he would definitely make it happen. Needless to say, I'm more determined than ever.

So, to summarize the deal:

When I make the top tier for this company, my husband will be on stage with me to accept the check that is presented. He will open the check in front of everyone, then tell them how he said I wouldn't be able to make more than $5,000 per year with this company and how it was a scam.

Is it awful of me to make him publicly eat his words?

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Armchair Millionaire

Have you ever heard the term "Armchair Traveler"? It's when people live vicariously through those that go on trips, or read about different lands that they want to visit, but never travel anywhere and just stay home. I have decided that I am going to become an "Armchair Millionaire." I am going to make one million dollars with this side business that I'm blogging about, without having to leave my home to go to work.

That's right. One million dollars.


I can do it, too. I understand the business model, and that's the most important thing. I think that people get too caught up in the products and view it as a sales job, like Mary Kay or Pampered Chef. (not that there is ANYTHING wrong with either of those companies, by the way. They're just not for me. I've already tried them, and I didn't make enough money. not my thing.) I don't want to carry an inventory. I don't want to meet a quota. I don't want to be penalized for not bringing in the business that someone else wants me to bring in. I want to run MY business as though it is MY business. Is that so wrong?

Fortunately, this company allows me to do just that. And I'm succeeding with it. I might not become a millionaire overnight, but I will certainly get there. So, keep track with me, folks, as I become an Armchair Millionaire. Even better, join my team and become one with me. I'll teach you how.

GOAL: $1,000,000

EARNED: $662.20

TOTAL NEEDED UNTIL GOAL: $999,337.80

** Please note that I am NOT using money from any other source of income. I want the $1,000,000 to come directly from this side business.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Some Days are Harder than Others

I had a rough day today.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about my new business. I've been following my techniques that I wrote about in my book, Magnetic Marketing: How to Attract Clients & Dollars, to a T and the results have been phenomenal. I'm really proud of myself. My primary approach to my business is to post on FaceBook and let people that are interested in working from home tell me that they are interested, and then I tell them what the opportunity is. Last month, I personally added 26 people to my team. Unfortunately, two people changed their mind after I added them and they didn't confirm. (At least, I think they changed their minds... They still haven't gotten back to me. Talk about frustrating... And RUDE.)

I started September off with a BANG, too. On the first day of the month, I had four people join my team. Two were people I added myself. Another person was added by my director. The fourth was someone I helped someone else on my team enroll. Four people on the first day of the month. I was JAZZED!

So jazzed, in fact, that I set a goal to add six more people to my team today. Regardless of who on my team added the people, I wanted to help and get six new team members. I even stepped out of my comfort zone and approached people personally... Something I really don't have the time (or the tolerance) for. I'm not a "hard sell" kind of person. I like people approaching me, because I feel as though I have the upper hand.

I've known these two women for about four years. I chatted with one online about joining my team, and she told me that she wasn't interested. I said "okay, but please keep me in mind if you change your mind." After all, once someone says "no," I back off. A few hours later, she sends this email to me and my director (also a friend of hers) saying how she feels as though she's being pressured to join my team, pressured to buy things she doesn't want and as though her friendship is being taken for granted. I was totally dumbfounded and offended. First, I never asked her to buy anything. I never tried to sell anything. That isn't even my take on this business-- There's nothing to sell. She said no, I said okay, she asked me about pricing a vacation. That was the end of the conversation.

The second woman, I literally sent a chat message to saying that I'd love to have her on my team with the three other women that she knows. That's it. I then went to Physical Therapy. She hadn't responded. She then writes this diatribe in a group that we are in, saying how she isn't interested in joining my team, yada yada yada. Rather than saying, "no thanks," she publicly posts it. So I sent her a message saying that I was offended by what she did, and I would have appreciated if she had told me in a private chat that she wasn't interested. Long story short, the conversation ended with her telling me not to contact three other women in our group because they all told her that they weren't interested... And I had been speaking with one that day! I talked to the third girl and told her what I was told, and she said that she had just decided that she wasn't interested.

It felt like high school all over again. I was so upset and disheartened, I unfriended the second girl and left the group that I had been a part of for four years. I am so embarassed to have been treated that way. It was belittling, degrading, insulting and downright R-U-D-E.


My motivation.
 It ruined my day. I got into a funk I couldn't shake, so I closed the computer and took my kids mini-golfing with my husband, and then out for dinner and ice cream. The entire time, my mind kept wandering back to the two women that reacted the way they did... As though I was a salesman trying to sell them arsenic-laced cookies or something.

Then it dawned on me: Some people are just plain rude.

Unfortunately, I did not write a section in Magnetic Marketing about rejection. Clearly, I need to. Just because people do not want to join my team doesn't mean that I'm a bad person, nor does it mean that I have less value than anyone else. I am doing so well for myself and my family, and I let these two women take that away from me today. I felt completely devalued. I haven't been spoken to that way since my freshman year in high school, when I tried out for cheerleading. I didn't make the team, so I became place kicker and made those bitches cheer for me. (Excuse my language.)

My bonuses from 8/6/11 - 9/1/11
After I put my kids to bed, I logged into my account for this new side business and clicked the "PAY ME" button to get the bonuses that I've earned so far: $620.20. With that money, I'm completely paying off my Lowe's credit card, paying for gymnastics, donating to my church, getting a pedicure and stashing some away for a rainy day. Not bad for three weeks' worth of "work," and I've got a check coming in about two weeks.

I've gotta admit, it took writing this for me to see everything today clearly. You know what? Today wasn't so bad. I spent time with my husband and kids, made some contacts, weeded out a dandelion and cashed out a nice chunk of change that is going to make a difference in a few things.

Maybe today wasn't so rough after all.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

So, What's the Catch?

Since starting this side business three weeks ago, I've made close to $1300. It's a fantastic business opportunity. There is no inventory. There is no quota. This isn't a sales job. There is no pressure. I work when I want to. I work with who I want to. No nasty bosses. No gossipy co-workers. I can work any time of the day or night, even when I have insomnia. I can create an organization that brings me residual income, regardless of how much I decide to work. The bonuses are unbelievable when I advance in the company or even just share the business.

I've posted a lot on FaceBook about how excited I am to earn money from home with this side business. (My "regular" business is as owner of Candy Cain Travel-- I specialize in destination weddings and group travel.) I haven't approached anyone directly, and have been pretty vague with exactly how I earn money from home. I have just over 1900 "friends" on FaceBook. Nearly 40 have contacted me about the opportunity. Of those 40 people, 17 have joined my team. I have received three "no" replies. I haven't heard back from the other 20 people, so I am just following up until they join or until they tell me that they aren't interested.

Last night, a friend of mine approached me about my business and asked me a big questions... "What's the catch?" I realized right then that a lot of people must think that there is a catch, even though I say that there isn't. So, let's go through some requirements and "catches" that work from home businesses may have.

EDUCATION & TRAINING
You don't have to have a college degree. You don't even have to have a high school degree. All of the training you need is offered FOR FREE through the main company via phone conferences and webinars. There are some special trainings that you get to take part in if you achieve certain levels or hit certain incentives. The majority of these training sessions are recorded so that you can access them at a later time-- On YOUR schedule.

INVENTORY
You don't carry an inventory. Period.

QUOTA
There are no weekly, daily, monthly or yearly quotas. Yes, when you hit certain levels, you are required to maintain a certain level of business activity to maintain your title, but that goes without saying. How many people can become a Vice President and stop their productivity, but still receive the bonuses and benefits that a VP earns? The only thing that resembles a quota is that you are required to personally shop for a minimum of 35 points worth of products every month for your personal use. This can be for your own home, gifts, office, whatever.

SALES
This isn't a sales job. It is a marketing job. At least, that's how I look at it. If you want it to be a sales job, then you can approach the business that way. I prefer to approach it as a marketing job. This is a versatile business that can mold the way YOU want to do it.

COLD CALLING
None, unless that is the approach that you want to take. Personally, I don't do cold calling. I'm not good at it, and, frankly, I don't like it. But if you want to cold call people, go right ahead.

Another thing that my friend said was, "So, you do all the work and I get paid? Sounds like a scam to me."

Well, the idea that someone else does the work and you get paid is sort of the idea. It's part of the business model. If I place Person A under Person B and Person B makes an order, then Person A earns a 7% commission on that order. However, I'm the one that earns bonuses and higher commissions, based on how much I have grown my business. Person A earns a small commission, but I earn a lot more. Everyone earns something, based on the placement of people in the organization. It's an awesome business model. I've never seen anything like it.

So, no, there isn't a catch. And, yes, you get paid off of work I do.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Easy-Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

I simply cannot believe how easy this business is. I'm nine days into this business, and I'm already a director. That means that 8 people have enrolled under me. I've attempted to make a tree. My enrollees are green, Danielle's are orange, Mike's is dark blue, Angie's is light blue, Gen's are purple, Brenda's are brown, Theresa's is gray and Raminta's is red.



For the record, I've been with this company for 12 days. I have 30 people in my organization, not including myself. THIRTY. Considering each one of those people will place (or already has placed) an order for which I earn about $5, I am looking at $150 in commissions alone. There are 15 green people, for which I will earn a $7 bonus when they place their first order. That is another $105. For 14 of the 15 people, I will earn a minimum of a $25 bonus when they place their order this quarter. That is another $350. Anyone doing the math out there? That is $605.

But, wait. There's more.

Since I advanced to Director, I earned a $100 bonus.  Since I advanced to Director II, I earned a $200 bonus. That puts me at $905.

HOWEVER, if I purchase something from the company that puts me onto a rapid advancing schedule (which I'm already ahead of), my bonuses double. So, my Director bonus is $200 and my Director II bonus is $400. Since I am purchasing this pack (for $199), I'm actually at $1205. Subtract the $199, and I'm at $1006.

I have earned $1006 in 12 days. From home. Seriously.

Now, when Danielle advances to Director, I advance to Director III and I will earn another $600 Pacesetter bonus. Danielle is STEPS away from becoming a Director, and I know that my $600 bonus is right around the corner. That's $1600 in less than two weeks. From home. Without any risk.

I don't get why people wouldn't WANT to do this business. The products, yes, are fantastic. But the business aspect is absolutely PHENOMENAL. Do you want to join my team? Drop me an email. I'm happy to get you started. And, hey, I'm on vacation... I can get you started WITHOUT interfering with my family vacation. how's that for a fantastic work-from-home job??

Friday, August 12, 2011

Six Days In and Already a Profit

This is crazy.

I joined this company to help my friend on Saturday. Today is Friday, so it has been six days. In the past six days, three of my friends have joined. Two have signed their enrollment paperwork, and I believe the third one will tonight. I have a lot of other friends and acquaintances thinking about it, too. I'm really excited.

My friend, Raminta, who owns a Marketing & PR firm, joined my team. I know that she is going to succeed, because she is an absolute networking guru. She's got a great personality, and I know that she will do really well. I knew it as soon as she expressed interest.

And I was right. She got her own team member the day after she signed the paperwork to join my team. She placed her order, which hasn't even arrived yet, and already got someone on her team before the ink was dry-- so to speak.

I want to explain how people make a profit with this company. When you get your first order, the kit will be in there and will REALLY open your eyes to compensation. There are charts and everything, which is so helpful. From what I understand, you will earn 7% of product orders off of people that are placed under you. Commissions are only paid out on seven generations.

1st Generation – 5 People
2nd Generation – 25 People (5 people for each of the 1st generation)
3rd Generation – 125 People (5 people each for the 2nd generation)
4th Generation – 625 People (5 people each for the 3rd generation)
5th Generation – 3,125 People (5 people each for the 4th generation)
6th Generation – 15,625 People (5 people each for the 5th generation)
7th Generation – 78,125 People (5 people each for the 6th generation)
 
So, if you add all of the preferred customers together (generations 1 – 7), you come up with 97,655. (You actually get more first generation positions once you advance in the company, but I want to use seven people for the purpose of my math.) That’s not to say that YOU have to refer 97,655. Through networking and connections and everything else, the people below you refer those people. Ever hear of six degrees of separation? This is it, my dear reader.
 
So, let’s say you max out and have 97,655 people below you, and you earn a $5 commission on each of them. That makes $488,275 for commissions PER MONTH. Is that ridiculous, or what? Now, I know I am a long way from there. The way to get to that number is through enrolling new preferred customers, having them enroll new customers and so on. Word of mouth. Referrals. You get the idea.
 
$488,275 is a lot of money. Heck, 1/10 of that is a lot of money!
 
I WANT IT.
 
I'm smart and savvy enough to go after it and get it. I've made $72 in 6 days. Let's say I average $72 per week. That's $3,744 per year that I never had to begin with. That pays for preschool for my twins for the entire year. I'll take it. (I do, however, plan on taking more.)
 
Want to join my team? Let me know. I'd be happy to get you started.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Starting the Process

On August 6, 2011, I made a decision. I decided to join a company – which shall remain nameless – because my best friend wanted to advance her career with said company. She is a mom of three beautiful boys and works from home with this company. On August 6, she was in the title of Director Two. Now, that means nothing to you, I know. Quite frankly, it meant nothing to me, except that I wanted to help her get to Director Three (another title that means nothing to me). After all, Dionne has always been there for me, to support me in whatever I have done over the past 20 years.  If excelling to the title of Director Three would enhance her life, I wanted to be the one to help her.
 
The reason I’m not writing the name of the company is because I don’t want there to be any preconceived notions about what the company is. To be perfectly honest with you, I don’t know much about the company even though I use a lot of the products they carry (thanks to Dionne). The name of the company isn’t important. What is important is that I joined this company as a customer for $1 (ONE DOLLAR) and the opportunity to earn money without having to buy a website, carry an inventory or pay any monthly fees. I do, however, have to shop every month for personal products—Stuff I would have purchased anyway from the grocery store or Costco, but made from all-natural ingredients and much better for my family (especially my son, who has asthma and severe allergies). I wouldn’t be spending any extra money anywhere; just changing my shopping habits.
 
Yes, the money is certainly enticing. I don’t exactly know how I make money, but I’ll figure it out later. Besides, I run an extremely successful travel and event planning company and, to be honest, I really don’t want a second job. I want to help my best friend. While not a multi-level marketing company (MLM), this is a referral-based business. There is no advertising. Everything is word of mouth. I feel like I joined the Masons or something—Ask about joining, and you get to join.
 
The way this all came about it pretty funny, too. Dionne and I always say, “Everything happens for a reason.” Well, Dionne was heading out to Minneapolis to attend the convention for this company and her mother was supposed to go with her. About a month before the convention, Dionne’s mom told Dionne that she couldn’t go. Dionne already paid for the tickets and was given a hotel room (which, by the way, is a story in and of itself that I will tackle later), so she asked me if I would go with her. I knew that I was going to be in Mexico for one of my destination weddings the weekend before, so I ran it by my family to see if I could go. After all, I have three-year-old twins and my mom and husband would be taking care of them without me. Fortunately, they said that I could go.
 
I was able to purchase my plane ticket for a mere $2.50 on the way there, thanks to all of the traveling that I do on American Airlines. My flight home was $173. Dionne had the hotel covered, and another good friend of mine, Trygve, lives in Minneapolis and said he would take me to and from the airport. Two nights before I left, Dionne told me that she was given wrong information from someone, and had no hotel room. She was forced to pay the first night at an exorbitant rate. Fortunately, Dionne’s husband has relatives in Minneapolis, and Dionne stayed with them on the second night. Too add to the good fortune, I had won a gift certificate from Delta Vacations for all of the business I brought them, and was able to use that for a hotel for two nights. Plus, I got a travel agent rate of $40 on a rental car. Dionne and I were set for the two nights that I was going to be there. We hadn’t seen each other in three years, so we wanted some “girl time” when we weren’t at the convention.
 
But, I digress.
 
So, I went to a workshop with a man named Russ Paley, who is apparently a bigwig in this company. He talked about making a plan to reach a high level in the company in twelve months, and be able to earn a lot of money. Frankly, I was half-listening. I was thinking about my own company, Candy Cain Travel, and how I could apply the concepts that he was teaching to growing it and gaining more clients. I started writing my own ideas, then told them to Dionne, Tryg and Tryg’s wife, Susan, that night over a Juicy Lucy at the 5-8 Club. Dionne asked if she could show us the presentation about her company. Unfortunately, Tryg and Sue’s dog was sick and it was late, so we went back to the hotel and bid them farewell.  Once back in the hotel, I watched part of the presentation.
 
I must have ADD or something, because I couldn’t make heads nor tails of it, and my mind kept wandering. Dionne, as patient and wonderful as she is, explained things to me a bit better. Still, I wasn’t interested. Even though she told me that I didn’t have to aggressively (or even passively) pursue people, I didn’t want to do it. She told me that I just had to shop, and I didn’t want to do it. She told me that there was no commitment, and I didn’t want to do it. She told me that I could stop at any time, and I didn’t want to do it. I dug my feet in because I had all of these preconceived notions about what I would have to do and how I was going to let her down. I just wasn’t interested.
 
The next morning, we went back to the convention. We were running late, so I dropped Dionne off and found a parking spot. The workshop started before I could get in, and I felt uncomfortable walking into a room with a bunch of people hanging on every word of whatever speaker it was and interrupting them. I did, however, want to attend the workshop by author Linda Eyre, about balancing work and being a mom. After all, I own my own company and am constantly struggling with balancing business and family. I met Dionne at the doors of that workshop.
 
While I was standing in line, I met three women: Sarah, Jessica and Stacey. They were so gung-ho about the company, I felt like they were in a sorority and I was on the outside, watching them bond. (Mind you, I have NOTHING against sororities! I am a proud alum of Alpha Delta Pi, and Dionne is Theta Phi Alpha.) They were so nice and wanted to include me in their conversation, so Stacey, the clear sorority president, turned to me and said, “So, how long have you been with the company?” I explained that I hadn’t been with the company at all and I was just there to support my best friend. “Well, why not?” They asked. I explained how busy I was and how I didn’t have any time to do anything other than my own company. “Don’t you have time to shop?” Stacey asked me. I was confused. I told her that I did, but didn’t see what that had to do with anything, and she told me that all I had to do was shop online for products that I would usually use at home (hairspray, cleaners, shampoo, cereal, etc) and I would be a part of the company.
 
I told her that I was still not interested, that I was fine going to the grocery store, yada yada yada. I gave every possible objection that I could. Finally, she looked at me and said, “Don’t you want to help your best friend?”
 
And there you have it, folks. Guilt. Old fashioned, Catholic-grandmother, Italian-style guild served to me on a silver platter by a woman I had been speaking with for maybe ten minutes. So, Stacey from northern California, Dionne has you to thank for getting me involved. In all sincerity, I never looked at it as helping my best friend. If I had looked at it that way last year, I would have joined. But, as Dionne and I say, “Everything happens for a reason.”
 
So, we all went in to the workshop and listened to Linda speak. She mentioned her new book, “The Entitlement Trap,” and talked about how she wanted it to debut on the best seller list when it is released on September 6. In order for that to happen, 15,000 copies must be sold. (By the way, the woman is AWESOME. Pre-order her book, will you? Parents will learn A LOT.) After the workshop, Dionne went in to another one about doing home presentations, which I had absolutely NO interest in. I told her that I was going to finish an article I was writing, and would meet her after her workshop. We went our separate ways.
 
As I was hunting for a quiet place to sit and type in the Minneapolis Convention Center, I saw Linda Eyre standing by herself. I approached her and told her how much I enjoyed her workshop. Then, somehow, we got on the topic of marketing for her book and getting the 15,000 copies pre-ordered before it was released on September 6. I told her about my marketing seminar and book, “Magnetic Marketing: How to Attract Clients and Dollars,” and told her that I would like to show it to her to help her hit that number. Surprisingly, she was looking to kill time, and sat with me at a table that had just freed up outside.
 
I went through my Power Point presentation as fast as I could, giving her suggestions and links. She vigorously took notes, and repeatedly said that she wants me to speak with her husband, who happened to graduate from the Harvard Business School. (Intimidation, anyone?) I gave her a few kick-ass suggestions (if I do say so myself) about how to thrust her book into the limelight even before it is released. I even emailed her my presentation, a PDF of my presentation and my book. She thanked me profusely, gave me a hug, then left for the airport. I sincerely hope I hear from her again.
 
I met up with Dionne, who wanted to head to the last general session. Again, I had absolutely no interest in attending the general session. Aside from being uninterested and nervous about the massive crowd (I panic in large crowds), I was absolutely exhausted and my stomach was not too happy with the burrito I scarfed down for lunch. Dionne said that she would text me to come get her after the general session was over, and I headed back to the hotel. While driving to the Comfort Inn – Minneapolis St. Paul Airport, my mom called to let me know that a couple of commission checks had arrived for me. I told her to open them while she was on the phone with me. The total of the checks was just over $3500. Right then, I decided that I would join Dionne in her business venture. Even though she told me otherwise, I thought that I had to pay a fee to join, like Mary Kay or Avon or any of those home party companies. I had a little over $3500, and I was only expecting $3000 in checks. I would invest in my friend.
 
After I got off the phone with Mom, my mind wandered to my impromptu meeting with Linda and how much she loved “Magnetic Marketing.” Then, I got to thinking... Just thinking, though. If I could prove that “Magnetic Marketing” works in any field, perhaps I could become a speaker at conventions to teach people how to grow their business. Perhaps I could get a major publisher to actually publish my book, instead of having to offer it as an e-book online. Perhaps my own book would debut on the best seller list...
 
Okay, I decided to help Dionne by joining the company. But rather than just sitting there limply on her organizational tree, I decided that I would use this business to test my “Magnetic Marketing” strategies. After all, I created “Magnetic Marketing” to work for the wedding and travel industry. When people started telling me that they were able to use it for other businesses, I was a little taken aback. Why would people listen to me to grow their own businesses? That’s when I realized that “Magnetic Marketing” could be used for any industry, but I hadn’t tested it myself. This was my opportunity to take a business that I knew nothing about and turn it into a financial success using the principles, theories and strategies that I created and wrote about in my book. I sold myself on joining Dionne and taking it seriously.
 
After publishing the article I had been working on all day and taking a nap, I went to pick up Dionne. On the way back to the hotel, I started asking Dionne hypothetical questions about building a business. The conversation went something like this:
 
Me: Right now, you are a Director Two. What do you need to get to Director Three?
 
Dee: I need one personally enrolled Director.
 
Me: What does one have to do in order to become a Director?
 
Dee: Get eight personally enrolled customers.
 
Me: How much does it cost to enroll?
 
Dee: Well, until August 16, they are running a promotion and it is only a dollar.
 
Me: Excuse me?
 
Dee: A dollar. One dollar.
 
Me: And what is the fee after that?
 
Dee: What fee?
 
Me: Right.
 
Dee: No, what fee are you talking about?
 
Me: The fee to participate in the business.
 
Dee: There isn’t a fee. You pay a buck before August 16 and then you shop at least once per month.
 
I was sold. We got back to the hotel and I signed up, just like that. Dionne is a Second Income Consultant. She earns a decent amount of money from her business, and can teach others how to do it. I plan on taking her knowledge and the business opportunity, applying my Magnetic Marketing techniques to it and teaching others how to make a lot of money. I’m not the kind of person that will invest money into anything—not even stuff that I’m interested in or believe in. I don’t like taking risks like that. But a dollar? Sure. And now I can prove my Magnetic Marketing strategy. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
 
So there you have it, my friends. If you want to join this crusade to earn money from home, please shoot me a message. I put a status on my FaceBook about the opportunity, and over ten people responded that they want to try and see what happens. Dionne is going to be the one to give more information, and she does so via a free webinar. One of my friends is actually checking out the webinar at noon tomorrow. Would you like to check it out? Let me know.  There’s enough money out there for everyone.