7 Weeks in and loving it more every day!!!

I signed up on Friday 13th June, exactly 7 weeks ago today! But I couldn't really 'do' much for the first 7 days, well except for learn, read and prepare! I had my first launch party on Friday 27th June exactly 5 weeks ago to the day!

I was then very lucky in that my wonderful friend Mara signed up as a consultant, as did my equally wonderful husband! Then I went away for a week, so didn't really do much! After that week away, I had a week off and only had one follow up, which resulted in a new PC sign up. It got to the middle of July and then reality hit me!! I had done no planning whatsoever and was literally just floating along aiming for a place but with no direction!

So, I put plans and goals in place, and really started to get going, I began to really invest in myself, watched videos, listened to audios read an amazing book and it really gave me push I needed. I felt that funny bubbly feeling of excitement inside and I felt so good!



I love this book so much that I also sat and listened to the audio!

I worked my butt off, did everything I could! I had already made my overall plan, but I also made daily plans and stuck to them! Only things like to call someone, email someone, plan or book something in and also to have an hour of learning/training a day and then a bit of time to review my day and plan the next! Not everything went to plan, and that's okay... In fact in some ways it is a good thing as you can review and figure out how to do it better!

The thing I have found is, this business is not about pushing all your friends and family to sign up, making people feel obliged to 'help' you, but to simply share what you are doing, the same way you would if you just got a new job, car, house etc, you would tell people about it, this is exactly the same thing!

This month I hit my personal goal of 3,000 QV, I got my 2 new sign ups and I am now helping them to do the same as me, I didn't sign up the 4 PCs I would have liked  due to only one person showing up to my final party! But that's totally okay and in the end, my final party ended up turning in to a brilliant training session for Maria who did the presentation!

The two images above are Maria's second launch party - Both Maria's parties went amazingly well with every person placing at least one order and 3 people also signed up as PC's. They were my first product presentations I had ever done and I was so nervous, but loved every second of it! Below are images from my own party, where only one friend came - But there are no negatives as it turned in to training session.

Last night was the last day of the month, I sat down and planned August, I have my new goals which are 5000 QV and reach District Manager Status, 2 new consultant sign ups and 5 PCs. I am also going to help Mark and Maria, reach the 2000 QV they need for their Strong Start programme, I will be with them as much as I can this month to help and guide them so that they can become independent and duplicate the business!

This is business really is such a wonderful opportunity and it most definitely came at the right time. At first my why was mainly because of my kidneys, but due to recent events, my why has altered slightly. Childminding has been very good to me and I have been fortunate to earn an okay wage, but due to circumstances outside of my control (children growing up) I now find myself two clients down and a dramatic drop in wages! So I really need Arbonne to fill the gap.

The other reason my 'why' has changed, is possibly the biggest thing that has given me a huge push to make this work and make everyday count. My eldest sister! (not my sponsor) was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, she fought hard and battled through, then was given the all clear! She was getting her life back on track, working in the hospital, and thoroughly loving life... until she discovered this July that it has returned, but this time the prognosis is not good! I! This has made me realise, more so than ever, that life truly is precious, every day that you wake up is a blessing, and I want to make the most of it, I want to help  people make the most of their lives and most importantly, I want to be in a position where I have quality time to spend with the people I love.

It happens all too often, life is busy, life gets in the way, we all have 'things' to do and before you know it time has sped past at lightening speed and you sit there wondering where it went! So, if you take anything away from this blog, please let it be that life is precious, go and tell your family you love them, get in touch with that person you keep 'meaning to call'

My sister is grabbing life and taking it to the max... so much so she is even jumping out a plane!!! If you want to know more about this or even want to donate a small amount you can do so here - Sue's Skydive!

My name is Emma and I am a Network Marketer!!

So, when I tell people what I am doing with Arbonne, I generally get the response of "Hmm, that's sounds like Network Marketing to me!" and I seem to answer in a sort of defensive/embarrassed kind of tone. I then get loads of warnings and so called 'facts' from people who know people who tried it and failed! So of course they are 'experts' *cue over exaggerated roll of the eyes*

When I first signed up to Arbonne, I knew roughly how it worked and I was given loads of support and information, not only from my own sponsor, my sister Karen, but also from her sponsor, Rachael. This is my Upline; Scott signed up a lady called Tamlyn, who signed up Rachael, who signed up my sister, who signed up me! I have contact details for all these people, so should I need their help I have it. Generally I will go through Karen and so on, but just recently I have spoken to Rachael for some support and she is arranging for her and Scott to help me with an opportunity meeting... Why have I told you this? Oh, well, that's because apparently with Network Marketing you are signed up to a company, and then get left to it and forgotten about!! Hmm... okay then, clearly my Upline did not get this memo... thank goodness!

Also I get people telling me it is a pyramid scheme, and just how terrible they are! Well that is until I ask them about their own jobs... what does their company structure look like? A lovely rich CEO at the top getting paid loads, with some top end managers just slightly underneath, also making a nice wedge, then perhaps a few more middle managers making a fair wage, then a load of lower manager making an okay wage, then finally the workers, making enough to pay the bills... Hmmm I wonder what shape that would look like???

Hmm, now is it me, or does that look like a... pyramid? 

I then ask, can you overtake your managers? Or do you have to wait for a 'position' to open before you can be promoted? So, essentially you can work your butt off for years and years, earning loads of money for the top people, while taking home a pitiful wage just waiting... and waiting.... and waiting for a position to open up! Sure you might be able to promote to manager, or maybe even middle manager, but seriously, how many people fit at the top? How many CEOs can there be?

Now I am not going to say anything about this next picture which has been doing the rounds on the internet... You can make up your own minds!

What I will say is... remember what I put at the beginning of my post? You know, about my Upline, helping and supporting me? If you really need help, would your CEO go out of his way to help you? What about the Top managers? I have worked for many years in retail, particularly sales and I was given high targets, put under a lot of pressure, worked long hours and barely took home £1,000 a month!!

As part of my training, I have been advised to read a few books, the first one I am reading, is Eric Worre Go Pro - I started reading it yesterday and I am up to chapter 5 and I have to say it is an amazing read... If you are still unsure about networking marketing and you can get a hold of this book, then read it!!

You see, the issues surrounding network marketing actually has nothing to do with network marketing itself! It DOES work! People are doing it, and they are becoming very successful. If iis about finding the right company for you and making sure you have the right support, the right information and the right tools to get started! Too many people sign up to network marketing, thinking they know what to do, they do what they know, fail, then blame the Network Marketing! When in reality, all they have to blame is themselves!

If you get in to this, then you nee to do your homework, you need to invest in yourself, it's all good and well having the physical tools you need to start a networking business, but they will become useless if you do not have the mental tools to use them!!

So, the next time some one says "Hmm, that's sounds like Network Marketing to me!" my reply will no longer be with a tone of embarrassment, but one of pride! "Yes, yes it it. I am Emma, and I am a Network Marketer!"

Planning is the key!

Today I took a step back and looked at my new business, I looked at where I currently was and where I was aiming for. At first it all seemed a bit too much! My target seemed quite out of reach and especially as it is now the middle of the month!

In June I reached 1,000 QV! QV is "Qualifying Volume" and these are the points awarded to every product, so as well as earning commission on sales, you also earn points! You earn Personal QV (PQV) these come from your own personal purchases and purchases from your own direct clients whether they are preferred clients or normal clients. you also earn QV from your success line, these are from your team of consultants. You must earn a set amount of PQV in order to get paid - this is why the business is fair - it means you have to actually work and put the effort in, you cannot rely on others to earn money for you!!

So,in  June I earned 1,000 QV, which automatically puts you in to qualification for District Manager, this is where you start to earn an 8% commission on your own purchases, as well as getting a 35% discount! What is qualification I hear you ask... well, if you want to achieve DM status, you need to earn 6,000 QV in 2 months or 7,500 QV 3 months.

As well as being put in to qualification for DM you also automatically get put in to the Strong Start Programme which is:

1,000 QV in the first month and get a free Arbonne tote (Already achieved in June)
2,000 QV in the second month and get a lovely little Arbonne Necklace (I 'will' achieve this, this month)
3,000 QV in the third month and get a free RE 9 set AND £400 to spend on any Arbonne products!!!

I will get this necklace, it is nothing overly 'special' but just a little reminder that anything is possible!

So, today, 15th July I am currently sitting on 54 PQV which came from my 121 at the beginning of the month and 700 QV which came from my two new sign ups when they ordered their RSVPs. So total QV 754. I need another 96 PQV in order to get paid any commission. My aim this month is 3,000, so you can see why I said at the beginning of this blog that it seemed too much to reach!!

I was sitting there, overwhelmed, thinking 'Heck, I am never going to get that!' I decided to listen to some of the training audios and whilst listening I was getting ideas! Afterwards I realised, of course I am never going to reach my target with this attitude! So I put a plan in place!

What am I going to do and how am I going to do this?

Get computer, notebook, pen... make plan!

I decided to write down my target, so I could see it in black and white, I know what I need to get, now I need to figure out how to get there. Firstly I have my own 2nd RSVP that I can order, yes it means another £200, but it also means another £400 worth of tools to support my business! I will get another 350 PQV straight away - So that is me getting paid at least!

Next, I know a lovely lady who was very interested in coming to the  launch party but couldn't make it, and I know she likes her products. So I am going to arrange a 121 with her, take some lovely samples with me, have a nice cuppa and hopefully she will love the products as much as I do.

I have already spoken to and booked a 121 with a family member who is a Personal Trainer and who is interested in the Essentials range, I have already emailed him information about the shakes to read up on before our 121 and I will give him a good few samples to take away and try for himself. He has expressed an interest in the business side, so that is a fantastic start.

Then there is Maria's 2 launch parties, and although this will help Maria achieve her own goal of 1,000 QV, it will also help me with my success line and overall QV! Over the same weekend I am going to offer my own direct clients, friends and family a 35% discount when placing an order over the weekend period - and offer FREE delivery!

Then finally, Wednesday 30th July I am going to host a 'Pamper Party' just like my own launch party, but this time, I will be doing it solo and giving my friends a lovely pampering session with all my wonderful goodies.

And there it is... My plan for July. But that is not all... I will also aim to mention Arbonne to someone at least once a day and 'plant the seed' now this is not randomly going up to someone and blurting out Arbonne facts, but casually bringing it up in conversation if and when appropriate.

Before I go though, I want to share a lovely little tip I got from my sponsor... This is for when you give out the Gold Bag on a 121. Instead of giving someone the full tub of RE 9 night repair cream, decant the contents in to a clean container, and clean out the original RE 9 tub. Then get some small sample pots and when you go to give out the bag, put a little bit of the cream in the sample pot and place that in the original container, you can then advise the recipient that for hygiene purposes the cream is in a separate pot and that they can keep the little sample!

Do not fill the sample pot as you will run out very quickly, remember a little goes a long way!

Ta'dah, nice, lovely hygienic way of sharing the night cream!

Becoming more confident!

So, although I am a new consultant and I am still learning, I am also a sponsor to another two new consultants and it is my job to make sure they are following the right path, getting the correct information and supporting them as they grow themselves!

It can be a bit overwhelming and scary to think that you are so new at something, yet you have to help others! You tend to hear the phrase 'learn while you earn' and at first it just sounds like one of them stupid buzz phrases that doesn't really mean anything - but in actual fact... I am starting to earn, and at the same time I am learning and growing, and the more I need to support my team, the more confident I am becoming!

So, I signed up to Arbonne on 13th June. I had to wait 7 days before being able to order my RSVP and I had my two launch parties at the end of June - unfortunately I only had 3 people attend just one party. All three people bought a little bit of something. That was it for June, my 'pay day' was due 10th July and I wasn't expecting much if anything really, I mean, who would? But flippin' 'eck £33 - now I know it's only £33 but come on... £33 for just ONE party in which only 3 people showed up - Now that teeny, tiny, insignificant amount of money, is not really a teeny, tiny insignificant amount of money - it is solid tangible proof that even if you put a little bit of work in, you will get something out of it - so imagine how much you can get when you put a lot more work in!!

I am so pleased to have my very good friend and my husband in my team with me, Mark has already had a bit of a 121 with his personal trainer, albeit it was a bit muddled up - but still baby steps and as Mark becomes more confident I know he will be really good at this. He is no getting more active in asking questions, listening to the training audios that are available and thinking about how he can grow his own business. Maria has booked her launch parties and is now putting the feelers out, planting the seeds and getting people invited - Maria will be amazing at this and I can't wait to see her confidence come shining through!

My wonderful friend, fellow consultant and future Arbonne NVP ;) Maria!

My lovely husband, best friend and now business partner!!

So, what is left for July - I have a few 121's to book, also trying to arrange my own opportunity meeting with the lovely Rachael and Scott, launch Maria's new Arbonne business and support my team in any way I can!

Getting going and loving it!

Well, it's happened! I turned 30! Friday 4th July - lots of celebrations and Champagne, and I feel fab! I can definitely tell my 30's will be an amazing time for me and family!

Me and my sister Karen - who is also my sponsor - Close from the very beginning!!

Apparently, I used to wake up and go in to my sister's room and watch for hours while she played with her make up - Funny how some things never change!!

Ahh, my sister was on the water while I had her share of the Moet!

Celebrating my 30th in style! 

Happy Birthday to me, this was Day 3 of the celebrations! Thank heaven for Arbonne and their wonderful make up range!

Before my Birthday I had my 121, which went amazingly well! It was so relaxed and so much fun. I love the fact there is no pressure, no 'hard sell' it literally is just recommending an amazing product to people. I left the RE9 Gold Bag as well as some other wonderful goodies for the whole weekend with my friend! I went back for the follow up and my friend loved the products and ordered a few more bits which was just amazing!

I have read some posts about how some consultants have been really rude to people who did not want to sign up to the whole business, scoffing "well, if you don't want to change your life then FINE!" which is just absolutely horrible! My friend did not want to sign to the business, and that is totally okay, everyone is different. She did sign as a preferred client, as she wanted to be able to order a few items and wanted the discount! However, if she told me that she was not interested at all, that would have been fine! 

So, if you are reading this as a possible client, preferred client or potential consultant then please remember, no one should ever put pressure on you! Yes I believe Arbonne has the most amazing products and is an absolutely fabulous business model but, it is not for everyone! If you are a consultant, then please remember, you are sharing this wonderful opportunity, not 'selling' it! Never pressure anyone, or ever anyone feel stupid for not feeling the same as you!

I have two new consultants under me, one wants to make this a real change in her life and the other wants to just earn a little extra cash! One wants to do everything she can to earn the money to take over her current income and the other simply wants to have 121's and make clients/preferred clients, within the fitness and nutrition sector, both of which are totally fine. I will do my very best to support, encourage and motivate my consultants in their chosen directions! 

I could literally burst with excitement!

So, since my last blog, where no one turned up to my Saturday launch, what has been happening?

Well, today both the Husband and I are off, so I went to the gym this morning... get me! Yeah!! Then we went to meet one of his old colleagues for lunch. A wonderful lady, who is has been lovingly nicknamed 'Wifey' AKA Maria.

Maria came to my Friday launch party and actually took home an RE9 set to try out for a few days, so today were met up for lunch. This was the first time I have ever done a 121 and although it was a bit backwards in the way I did it (as in did the presentation after giving the set to try), I wanted to give it a go.

So we sat down, in the lovely sunshine, had a little chat about Arbonne, what it was about, how it worked etc. I gave her something to have a read about, we finished lunch and she headed back to work, while hubby and I went back home to collect the boys from school.

Before picking the boys up, hubster was chatting in the car about how he could make Arbonne work for him, where he could find his market and that was it, he signed up as soon as we got home!

At the school my youngest son's learning assistant and I had been talking and a week or so ago, I gave her some nappy cream to try on her son's eczema. She also explained she had eczema and sensitive skin, so I took a little sample of some of the Calm range, a primer sample and a catalogue for her to look though and we had a very brief chat. 

Then back home we went and I messaged one of the ladies who was unable to make it to the parties and arranged to go and see her for an 121 on Thursday. Then after that wifey called up to ask a few more questions and decided to sign up as a consultant as well!

So in one day I have signed up 2 consultants and booked a 121 for Thursday! I am so excited and the more I learn, use and see Arbonne the more I fall in love with it. They say it changes your life and I can already feel myself becoming much more positive.

I am also so excited to have a very good friend on board and I can't wait to get her going and help her change her life! I just know she will be amazing at this!!