Introductions

PrincessLauren replied:

Hi welcome to PP

Hope you find what your looking for.

Kirstin replied:

Hi Jess,

Great name (my oldest daughter is called Jesse!) and welcome to the forum. I'm sure you’ll find lots of great PPs to investigate here.

I think what really makes a difference is not whether you sell from catalogues or stock, but how comfortable you are with the products and company.

There are a lot of things to consider: initial buy-in costs, ongoing fees, minimum orders, delivery costs etc make a big difference financially, especially when you are starting out. I'm sure you'll increase in confidence as you go along, but it is always easier if you have an upline who is 'in tune' with your needs and aspirations. If you sign up under someone who expects you to give your heart and soul to the company and you are only doing it part time, it's going to be rough. Likewise, if you've got ambitions to make some serious money and you have an upline who isn't commercially oriented, you're not going to get the support you need. Does the company have a training program or comprehensive handbook?

Anyway, decide what's important to you, do your research (most PPs will gladly you send you information on starting with them for free) and read a couple of trader agreements and make a note how they operate before you sign up with anyone. Then you won't be going in blind and get any nasty surprises - just nice ones, like a great bonus cheque in your first quarter!

I'd be happy to send you some info on my PP, Phœnix (greeting cards and stationery) if you are interested. I've requested a connection so we can message each other.

Kirstin xxx

Kylie87 replied:

Hey Jess,

Welcome to the site and I hope you find all the information your after!

I'm with UnderCoverWear so if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them..

I agree with Kirstin, find a product you love so when your giving your presentations you can just get lost in raving about it... :)

I wish you luck and I hope you can keep us up to date!

Belinda replied:

Hi Jess and welcome

I tried Avon, but you don't actually make that much money.  I have been doing nutrimetics for 9 years, and only just starting doing parties, which is great fun! Although, i do make a bit just from the brochures, as I have quite a large client base.

You will work out what's right for you and just remember to have fun and enjoy what you're doing.

Good luck,

Belinda

FACJeweller replied:

Hi Jess,
Welcome to Party Plans. Its the best place you could have come to :)

I know what you mean with living in two different places at one time.  I have been doing that for nearly a year, & sometimes its quite difficult.  However, we get through these things that are presented to us :)

It's great to hear that you are looking for a new business opportunity!  Do you have anything in mind?
Do you have a hobby or something that you are passionate about that maybe could give you a little direction of what you would like to sell?   If not, don't worry....we all love jewellery right?

Jess, I'm a Consultant for a wonderful company that offers high-end fashion jewellery for women, men & children too. Affordable, exquisite jewellery featuring AAA quality Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski Crystal, 14kt Solid Gold Earring Posts & genuine natural Gemstones! All of our jewellery is lead & nickel free. With over 4,000 jewellery pieces in our product range there is always something for everyone!

Feel free to have a look at my website....all 4,000 pieces of jewellery are on there
www.fifthavenuecollection.com/lwalsh

I could also send you a catalogue too if you like & it would be my pleasure to also send you a
Glitter Magazine which gives you alot of business insight of us jewellers that are having a very successful journey with this wonderful company.

Feel free to add me to your (friend) network & contact me.
Have a fantastic week
Lisa

mishmashmama replied:

Thanks for the warm welcome and all your words of wisdom, it means a lot to hear from people who are actually doing and succeeding with this.

As you've all suggested I need to find as much information as possible before I make any decisions to sign up with anyone. That being said, if anyone feels their PP would be a good fit - please don't hestitate to request a connection so you can tell me about it.

I'll keep you all updated as to my journery.

Thanks again,

Jess

charliehmum replied:

Hi!!

How are you? Welcome to the site, yes you will learn lots from these great people!! As people have said previous you do need to check things out and decide which is the best for you, I sometimes think that i rushed things a little with my first party plan company but in saying that i have enjoyed it and learnt lots from it, i am still with them and have also just joined another company. I joined both these companies as i really liked the products and thought that with my background as a teacher i could sell them as well as i was passionate about it. Party plan is scary i hated having parties at my house and here i am now holding parties and presenting at them, your self confidence changes etc as well and you learn lots about your self so it is a big journey, with the companies that i am with i am fortunate that at this stage i check with my host and they are usually playgroups or mothers groups etc and i take my little boy along with me if i cannot find a sitter, that is always an option too. I am with total learning who sell educational books and cd roms and jobjoggas who sell an amazing system to get your kids doing the chores without nagging. Please list me as a friend and I can them pm you if you would like to learn more. Goodluck with the journey ahead!! Have a great day Colleen

millie replied:

HI JESS - GOOD LUCK WITH FINDING THE RIGHT PARTY PLAN COMPANY FOR YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER. I AGREE IT IS DAUNTING TALKING IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE, BUT OVER TIME YOU GET USED TO IT AND WHEN YOU ARE SELLING SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE YOU OFTEN FORGET HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE ROOM. WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN AT THE START OF THE PARTY WHICH SEEMS TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD, AND THE GOOD THING WITH MISSIE MOO'S IS THAT WE DON'T TALK THAT LONG AT THE START OF THE PARTY AS PEOPLE REALLY ONLY HEAR THE 1ST 5 MINUTES AND THE LAST 5 MINUTES - HENCE WE ONLY TALK FOR ABOUT 10MIN - SHORT AND SWEET IS THE TRICK.

BEING A SINGLE MUM IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS IN ITSELF!

GOOD LUCK IN FINDING WHAT APPEALS TO YOU - RESEARCH WELL INTO ANY SETUP COSTS AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS.

ALL THE BEST MELISSA.

Nikki replied:

Hi Jess,

How are you today? Welcome to Party Plans! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!

I am with Avon (almost 2 years now) and have recently started with BayBeeCino.

Please PM me if you want information about these companies or just have general queries about party plans, etc.

Cheers,

Nikki

beautigal1 replied:

Hi- please look into Beauticontrol.  I am also a SAHM of two girls and you can work the business through catalog sales.  It would be better if you could offer spas to your friends and families.  It doesn't have to be a stressful situation where you feel you are speaking to a room full of people.   As a consultant you have a small start up fee and then you are a member of our organization.  You can either be a smart shopper and save 20-30%, you can hold spa parties and if you build a team of only 4 women you then buy products at 50% off and you pocket the profit.  You can make $250-$500 per spa and the products are beyond compare.  Please check out my website at www.beautipage.com/ginny4bc or www.beauticontrol and email me with any questions. thanks ginny

funfelt replied:

Hi Jess - Here is another altogether different thought. One of the best benefits of being in a party plan business is the personal growth you can experience. Maybe you cannot see yourself giving presentations today, but perhaps if you have an open mind and clear intentions to reach your goals, maybe your comfort zone can be stretched a bit and you can learn the skills and gain the experience to become something you may not be today.

When I started my business, I was so shy and withdrawn. I could not look people in the eye much less convince anyone of anything with confidence. But I loved my product so much and felt so passionate that everyone needed to at least know about it that slowly I learned to share with others and put my neck out there to do parties. When I first started and I wanted to do a party I just set my stuff up and let people walk around and come to me with questions - did not work very well! But as I saw their reaction to it and that some would actually buy I started to shift my thinking until I finally "got it" that by not sharing boldly I was actually being selfish and keeping this great thing to myself, without ever being able to reach the masses like I really wanted to. So I challenged myself to do more and more talking, follow the company's training on hostess coaching and demo-ing, graduated to making follow up calls and eventually cold calling for bookings. It has been a journey and took me a while to get truly good at it but I am so glad I let myself be open to learning something new.

I never considered myself a "people person" and now I do, thanks for being in this profession. Maybe something like this would enrich your life and be as empowering for you as it has been for me. And I know without a doubt that the party plan is the most efficient way of making the most money the fastest! 2 hours time and you will make far more than a week of running around chasing after catalog orders, without a doubt.

Good luck, whatever you do, and I admire you for doing your research!!
Karen

FoodDude replied:

Hey there Jess,

Love the mishmashmama tag !!! Describes most of my days   Welcome to the Party Plans Forum.  I am a mum of two little girls and last October I started my own party plan company called Foodie Parties.  We do in home gourmet food tastings, have a small selection of entertainment home ware and gift ware.  the great thing about food is that it HAS TO BE EATEN and our products are soooo yummy, customers keep coming back for more!!!!

We are extremely busy and are looking for consultants in Victoria to present our wonderful products.  I will request a connection with you and pass on some information if you like !!!!

With regards to being nervous about presenting, I am the queen of nervous.  I actually say a prayer before I go to each of my presentations because I am just so sure that I am going to stumble and make a fool of myself.  I have not felt like a complete idiot yet ( Have had a couple of stumbles though and just ended up laughing my guts out along with all of the guests)  The funniest party I had was last Thursday night where I did a presentation for a group of 30 women and I was handed a microphone.  I just went white !!!! How was I going to hold onto the mike, speak into it clearly, not trip over the cord hold up the product and hold my spiel book !!!  I managed to get through it !!I just felt so empowered afterwards !!!

Whatever party plan you choose, I wish you luck.  It is so important that it is right for you; as far as doing a presentation, don't sweat the small stuff, it gets easier and hey it gives you something to lie in bed afterwards and laugh about; You won't be able to sleep because you won't be able to believe the fabulous sales you made !!!

best wishes

Melinda

mishmashmama replied:

Hi All,

I just wanted to update everyone on my situation and to say a HUGE thankyou for everyones support and encouragement so far.

I've made the decision to give both Avon and All Things Indian a shot - I've signed up as an Avon Rep and am in the process of signing up as a Consultant with ATI. I don't want to overfill my plate so I'll be working with these two for the moment. However, I really appreciate everyones suggestions for party plans and if either of these don't work out or if I find I want to take on another I definitely know where I'll be heading for advice on my next move!

Karen: I know exactly what you mean about working towards improving my self confidence via getting outside my comfort zone - I've already started! Today I went to a Sales Meeting on short notice where I didn't know anyone... Now this might not sound like a big deal to most people, but for me to do this successfully is a huge deal. I almost backed out a few times but I stuck with it, so I'm proud of myself for my achievement for today :)

Thanks again and Wish me luck!

Jess

Belinda replied:

Well done Jess and good luck with both companies.  You'll be fine, you just have to love what you are selling!

Good luck,

Belinda

Success replied:

welcome to pp

ejsmum replied:

Good luck with it Jess. I know your confidence will grow and grow, especially if you are talking about something that you believe in and really love, you'll be fine.

And party plan is perfect for someone in your situation, living between two cities - double the customer base!!

Let us know how you go.