There Is No Box!

I am a very creative person, I love doing all sorts of crafts and making things. I am in my element when surrounded by glue, wood, paint, ribbon and glitter. I am a little girl at heart who loves to make things pretty! I am always thinking of things to do that are different and inventive.

When I started this business my imagination went nuts! Seriously, I could see so many different ways to incorporate this business with other things. I was on to a winner! I was always trying to think outside the box. The problem with thinking this way is, you get so consumed with trying to think outside this so-called box, that you don't even realise... There is no box! Things just are what they are! However, as I said, I was 'thinking out the box'

This continued on way in to this year and until recently. I was getting amazing ideas and trying to do them and not getting much back from it. I was putting in a lot of unproductive work, lots of planning and organising with not a lot in return. Don't get me wrong, I did get some results, but when you look at the amount of work I did, the results were not reflective of how much I had put in.

I was most definitely over complicating things! When my sister passed away, as I have mentioned previously, I took a break. I didn't want to completely stop, but just take it easy. I literally read, listened to audios and chatted casually to people. Nothing complicated, nothing extravagant, nothing super 'creative' just chatting.

Over the past few weeks I have started seeing some great results. I am becoming more confident in speaking to people and I am understanding this business so much more. I heard this business was simple, don't reinvent the wheel, keep it simple, I heard all of that, but I guess I didn't actually comprehend just how simple it really was. Until I took a break and stripped everything back to the bare minimum. Now I can see, there is no box! This is what it is!

I will still do different things now and then, because that it just me. I do enjoy being creative, but now I know there is no box, I can continue to keep it simple, and just do little bits here and there, doing things I enjoy and just see what happens. I am still talking to my network, arranging one to ones and doing product events, I am still keeping it simple!

There are times when I am booking in one to ones and get worried that once I have booked these in, my network will have 'run out' but then I get a grip of myself. I remember, there is no box. My network of people are not in a box and once everyone is done that's it. There is no box! Out of 4 one to ones this week, 2 of them I didn't even know this time last year, in fact, one of them I only met a month or so ago! I have become really good at meeting and talking to people and exchanging numbers.

This business is not hard, there is no box to think outside of, there no physical barriers or obstacles. There is simply an incredible company with incredible products. Things can be challenging, but that's all it is, a challenge for you to figure out. But no BOX! I cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for me. I am so excited!

Sorry, tell a lie. There is ONE box! 

 

Don't Quit!

It is almost a year since I joined Arbonne and the past 11 months has certainly given me experiences from one end of the scale to the other. I have had some incredible high moments, light bulb moments and great fun, also had some very dark moments and days that I just wanted to quit! But I didn't quit!

I am still at the beginning of my journey and I know there are going to be so many more highs and light bulb moments and equally, just as important, the not so good times. But why are the not so good time equally as important as the great times? Because it's through the tough times you get to see what you are truly capable of!

When I joined Arbonne, I signed up two Independent Consultants in the first few weeks, which was good, and we were all off to the flying start, but I was most definitely was not a leader! I steamed ahead, then burned out! I take on full responsibility for not being the leader I needed to be.

Since then, I have gone on a journey and gained experiences which puts me in a much better position to be the leader, coach, mentor, friend, sponsor that I need to be. I still have so much to learn, and the beauty is, you never stop learning.

It gets said so many times, don't quit, keep going! But it is so bloody hard though! When you have had so many people be negative, say no, let you down, when personal circumstances feel too big to cope with, it is so much easier to just quit! I mean, come on, who the heck has the strength to keep getting back up again just to be knocked back down? Do you want to know the answer that? YOU! You have the strength! Each time you get knocked down you get up stronger.

Think of it this way. You have zero fitness level, and decide you are going to see what this gym lark is all about. You go for your induction, get shown how the equipment works for a couple of minutes on each machine. You leave there feeling great, you have joined something great, the system is so easy to follow, get on a machine, do your thing and get fit... How hard can it be?

You go back for your first proper session and you put in some serious work, you ache like hell, you sweated buckets, you feel amazing... You get on the scales and.... WHAT?!! I have lost NOTHING?! Are you freaking kidding me! You go back again, work even harder, ache more, sweat more... Still, nothing to show but the fact you can't sit on the loo without having to lower yourself down! Oh my lord... the pain!

You go a few more times, working hard, aching, sweating busting the gut that just won't shift! Eventually you see a teeny tiny result... You lost 1lb! Yep a whole bloody 1lb... all this work for a flipping lb! You are feeling fed up, drained physically and emotionally. You can't do this, no matter how hard you're working nothing is happening. At this point you have a decision to make....

Quit, that's it, I give up. Go back to the couch dunking the kids chocolate coins they got for Christmas in to lemon flavoured yoghurt... erm, yes, I have done this, was quite nice actually!

Or, pick yourself  up, and carry on! Focusing on your goal, keeping hold of that feeling in the pit of your stomach, THIS WILL WORK! You keep going, keep seating, keep aching, keep working. Then someone comments on how well you look, then the next person and the next person. All of a sudden people are seeing the difference in you.  All your work is now paying off,  you are much fitter than you was, you are stronger, healthier, leaner. Everything you did had an effect. You might not have seen it at first, but it was doing something. And because you didn't quit, you are now seeing the results!

DON'T QUIT! The work  you are doing now is having an effect, you might not see it right now, but it is. I am now starting to see results of my hard work, I could have quit easily, but that would have been the easy option. I owed it to myself not to quit, to not throw it all away.

I now have a lovely new consultant, and I am ready to be the leader for her that I need to be. I am still learning, and growing, but one thing is for sure. No matter how hard this gets, I am here to stay! I absolutely will be an ENVP, I will inspire people to dream, I will help them reach their dreams. This business is a gift, you owe it to yourself not to quit, you owe it to the people who you are yet to meet, you owe it to the people you are going to inspire.

DON'T QUIT!

Finding Strength & Not Quitting!

It has been a difficult start to this year and it has challenged me mentally, physically and emotionally. Not only did my sister pass away in February, but two days after her funeral we found out that my friend (My Husband's cousin) had breast cancer! Are you freaking kidding me!!! She is only 27 and has a little one who is only 14 months old! Talk about kicking someone when they are down

I had made a butterfly heart for my sister, something for me to keep, but when I heard about my friend I knew I needed to give it to her. My sister always wanted to help people. I went to my friend's house for lunch and gave her the little heart. Stayed for a little while, then when I got home, I had message from her. As she was clearing up, she found a single white feather on the chair I was sitting on! This gave her so much comfort and said she knew she had a guardian angel, my sister!

 



After all this I tried to bury my head in Arbonne, but found I was getting emotionally involved with the outcome.  I wasn't in the right head space so I took a bit of a break. I have carried on reading, listening to audios, and kept up to date on the source. I slowly found myself just chatting about Arbonne and recommending various things when having conversations.

The result of just talking to people is 1 new PC who did a 150+ QV order and 2 potential ICs (PC now wants to be a consultant) I have also been sharing results that I have had using the Evolution and had so much interest in that. A friend also asked me to host a party for them.

I then decided to throw a charity night at my house. All the commission that night would go to my Race for Life, in memory of my sister! It was an incredible night, lots of laughs and a few tears! But knowing that I was doing something good made me feel so much better. Since my charity night, and after a chat with my husband, we have decided do to one charity event each month, for a different charity. I love the fact I can do something I love, and help others at the same time. It really means a lot to me to be able to do this.

I am now not getting emotional about the outcome, but I am incredibly passionate about this company. More because of the amazing support I have had during the first few months of this year. You are all incredible women (and men) and I can't thank you all enough for the lovely encouraging and supporting messages I have had. This is truly an amazing unique company and I am so grateful to have this in my life. It is most definitely more than a business,, it's a family!

I will also, always have my sister in my mind, saying "What's the worst that can happen?"

Getting in to Action!

This past month has been an incredibly difficult one. I was in two minds whether or not to write this, but I said from the beginning that I would share everything, the good, the bad and the ugly! This has also propelled me in to action and given me more confidence!

Back in July we had the devastating news that one of my sisters was terminally ill with cancer. It all felt just so unfair, as my sister had been adopted when she was 10 weeks old and my Mum was only 17. I had always known about my sister and in 2005 I had the best phone call in the world! My sister had found us! I also found out I had a niece who was a little younger than me! It was amazing!

In 2012 my sister was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she underwent treatment and was given the all clear! Unfortunately for it to return and this time, it was to claim her life! She had come in to our lives, only to be taken away again! Over Christmas she became ill and went in to hospital. In January she was still in hospital and it wasn't looking good. I had a phone call from my Niece on a Monday night, I cancelled all my work for the next day and travelled 2 hours to the hospital to spend the day with my sister!

Being self-employed I couldn't afford to take too much time off and had to go back to work! My sister deteriorated and I had planned to go up again on Monday 16th Feb. However, unfortunately she went in to the hospice the Friday before and rapidly went downhill! She became a beautiful angel at 8.10am on Tuesday 17th Feb! I cancelled all my work for the rest of the week and travelled the 4 hours to be with my Mum.

I knew where I needed and wanted to be, unfortunately I also knew where I had to be. They were not the same place! I had to really battle with myself, knowing I wanted to be with my Mum and family, but knew I had to be back at home working! It killed me so much. I never, ever want to be in that position again!

My sister was an incredible lady, full of positive energy and life. Always thinking of others before herself. When she got her diagnosis, she decided to jump out of a plane to raise money for the hospital. A truly inspirational woman! Her attitude was 'What's the worst that can happen?'

That is so true with everything though! What IS the worst that can happen? Since her passing and the awful battle I fought with myself, I made a decision. I decided that I will absolutely never be in that horrid situation again, having to choose work over being with family.

I thought, what's the worst that can happen, and I opened my mouth and spoke to people. I wasn't shy and timid, I wasn't scared they would say no, or not be interested. I opened my mouth and talked to them. I was completely honest with people and I also told them why I was doing this business.

Last week I shared the products and business with 10 people! I have friends booking parties, ordering products and I am even talking to the 'scary, dreaded cold market' I am getting in to action. I am not scared of asking questions anymore. What's the worst that can happen? I am not scared to a little bit more encouraging... What's the worst that can happen? I am not scared to be honest... What's the worst that can happen?

So, when you are standing there, talking to someone, or you are in a shop, restaurant, play centre, and you see someone and think, 'Oh I would love to speak to them' Please remember... 'what's the worst can happen?' Then, open your mouth and speak!

Just before I finish this blog something else I want to share. My sister had said that she always felt she as a butterfly, she had a strong connection to them. She told my niece and her best friend 'If you ever see a butterfly, that's me' also, her favourite colour was purple! So, can you imagine how it felt, when the doors opened after her service and the most amazing purple butterfly came fluttering in and flew all around the room!

Love you and miss you always my beautiful butterfly!

This Is What It's All About!

Wow! Just wow! I cannot describe to you just how I am feeling right now! One of the things I love most about this is business is the people. I have literally been overwhelmed with so many lovely posts and messages from people. Just because I shared a little idea. I love the fact that this business really is about helping others and sharing great things with great people.

Years ago, I once enquired about another MLM company... Won't mention any names! The lady came to 'talk to me' and before I even knew what was happening, I was signed up, given a bunch of catalogues, a specific street in which to deliver said catalogues, log in details, and a quick outline of what to do. She left and my head was still spinning. Nonetheless, I set out that night with my catalogues and delivered them all. The next day, at 8.30am I get a phone call, from a very angry and abusive lady accusing me of "delivering on her patch" and that I was out of order! I hung up the phone and didn't even bother collecting the catalogues!

When I heard about Arbonne I was so sceptical and obviously very dubious. But as it was my sister I went ahead. I remember going to my very first region training and because Tamlyn was all the way in Australia and the Zoom meetings were right when I was working, I had to go to someone else's region training. I was really nervous, but I went anyway. I spoke to the two Regional Vice Presidents who were just incredibly lovely and so welcoming... Claire Fishenden and Blair Herbert!

Since then I have met and spoken to many different people who have helped me, offered me advice, given me tips and encouragement. Everyone I have met have all been so lovely, caring, genuine people, who just want to see everyone else achieve what is possible! I have to say a huge thank you to Hayley Waghorne as well, again, another lovely person who has welcomed me to her trainings!

When I first started Arbonne decided to start a blog, it was just a bit of an on-line diary really. I only shared them with Rachel Lalji (up line) and Karen Smith (Sponsor)in the beginning. I never thought anyone would want to read them. The my sister said they were good and that I should share them, so I did, but only on the Platts' Region (as it was at the time, Samuel NATION now, woo hoo!)

Since then my journey has been like a Yo-Yo, lots of ups and downs and the more I have written, the clearer things have become for me. It is definitely something I would recommend people do. But the fact that I have had so many people say that the things I have written has helped them is tremendously satisfying. Even if I help just one person, that would make my day. Irrespective of if they are 'in my team' or not, this business really is about caring and sharing!

Review Packs

The response to my blog yesterday has been so lovely. I have had so many comments and private messages, asking about the review packs and how I did it. So I have decided to will write out exactly what I did and put the forms on here also so you can create your own versions.

So, on Monday morning I posted the following messages on some of my local group groups such as my local area's  Mums page, Selling page and business page.

"HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE

 

Looking for some lovely people who would like review some products for me. You can review a range of your choice, free for a few days, I can drop them off to you and collect them at a time that suits you. Let me know if you're interested.

 

Products are botanical, vegan certified and gluten free (skincare, bath and body, baby care, anti-aging, health and nutrition, weight management)"

 

 

I got so many people comment right away. The biggest hit was the weight management, so I will go in to more detail about what I put in to those packs. In total I had 10 people request to do a review, I knew I would get confused so in my little red 'day book' I had a brief list of their names and what they wanted. I then spoken to them all and arranged their packs with them. I got their addresses and arranged a time slot for delivery, as I only have two meal replacement bags, I had to create a waiting list.

 

On the next page I had the details of each person, their address, time slot, what bag was for them and the time slot for collection on Thursday. I stressed that these packs had to be collected no later than Thursday evening!

 

I created a review form to go in the packs, so they could write out what they reviewed, what they liked best. Also space for their name, address, email, and number. Also, I had a really good tip from Tamlyn about getting their date of birth, so it gives me the opportunity to send little sample gifts for their birthday! Cheer Tam!

 

The weight management review pack contained a lovely professional folder with my card, the review form, information about the pack and meet the product sheets. The products included 1x full size bag of meal replacement shake, 4x Fizz sticks (2x each flavour) 3x herbal tea and complimentary sample of the RE9 for men and women and a hand cream! 

Frantically trying to get 5 review packs ready in just 2 hours!



Meal Replacement Review Pack (One pack had a baby set in also as requested)

I am just getting used to all this technical stuff, and as yet, don't how, or even if I can upload files, so instead I will just copy and paste exactly what was on both the forms I sent out at the bottom. As well as these forms I also had a selection on meet the product sheets.

 

As I mentioned, I have a waiting list and will be collecting all these review packs on Thursday evening, cleaning them all up and getting them ready to deliver on Friday morning/evening, again, arranging collection for Monday morning/evening.

 

I am still getting people asking me now if I need reviewers. I have private messaged these people and told them that 'This is review is now full, however there will be more coming up as new products come in. I can keep your details and contact you as soon as a new review is available" the general response "Oh yes please, definitely"

 

The Review Form (I had a header on the document of the Arbonne Logo and name)

Independent Consultant

Emma Reed ID 441221139

07852 254 348

Emmareed.ic@gmail.com

www.arbonneinternational.co.uk  

PRODUCT REVIEW

 

 

REQUIREMENTS (why you chose these products to review)

 

 

FAVOURITES (What did you like best and why)

 

REVIEW

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking your time to review these products, your feedback is greatly appreciated.  

If you would like to purchase any of these products, as a thank you for doing this review you will receive a 35% off all products and/or 50% off specific product sets for your first order.

If you wish to re-purchase items you can also receive 20% off products and/or 40% off specific products sets for all orders by signing up as a ‘preferred client’ 

ÿ        I am interested in purchasing some products

ÿ        I am interested in hearing how I can become a preferred client

ÿ        I am interested in future product reviews 

Name:_____________________________________   Address:___________________________________   ___________________________________________   ___________________________________________	Number:____________________________________   D.O.B:______________________________________
Email:___________________________________________________________________________________

 

The Meal Replacement Sheet

 

Meal Replacement Shakes 

Please find in this review pack

Ø  1x full size bag of your chosen flavour. Add 3 scoops to 225ml of cold water (full instructions on the back of the bag)

Ø  3x individually wrapped Herbal Infusion Tea

Ø  6x Energy Fizz Sticks (3x Pomegranate 3x Citrus) mix with 400ml water no more than 2 a day.

Ø  Complimentary samples of

·         RE9 Advanced Anti-Aging for Women

·         RE9 Advanced for Men

·         FC5 Hand Crème

Ø  Review form

Ø  Product information  

Other available products in the nutritional range. Please visit website for more information

www.arbonneinternational.co.uk please discuss if you would like to make any purchases. 

Ø  Protein Shakes (Chocolate and Vanilla) Readymade shakes also available

Ø  Nutrition Bars (Chocolate and Fruit)

Ø  Fibre Boost

Ø  Omega 3 plus capsules

Ø  Digestion

Ø  Daily Power packs for Women

Ø  Super Chews for Kids and Teens

Ø  Calcium Plus

Ø  Antioxidant and immunity support

Ø  Greens Balance

Ø  Metabolism Support

Ø  Full Control

 

 



Getting into Activity!

It has been over a whole month now and I have totally stuck to my personal development, I attended my region training for January and February, I have listen to all the conference calls, I zoomed in on Area training, and attended the leadership academy. I have listened to at least one audio a day and read (almost) daily, on the days I have not read I have made sure I have listened to at least two audios. I have read at least 5 days a week though! I have also created my diary for time management and colour coded my time. I have set times now that is for ACTIVITY! Not planning, or thinking, but for DOING! I have decided to write about a few things that are looking really positive.

Remember the Mum who I wanted to talk to? The gorgeous pregnant lady? Well, our original coffee was postponed but she invited me again for the Friday with a group of ladies. It was so nice and I got chatting to a lady who is a beauty therapist, and works in Amy Child's Salon in Brentwood! She asked what I did, so I gave her my 60 second story! I also have another 4 people who I didn't know before. And now, the Mum who I originally spoke to has gone in to have her baby, so I have given her a lovely little gift bag with some gorgeous Arbonne products.

I also saw a post some from a beauty therapist I know, offering a great deal.  I have tried to arrange meetings with her before, but she is always too busy... So, I booked a massage with her! A girl's got to do, what a girl's got to do! Such a hard life! My appointment was booked for Monday 9th. After booking that appointment, I posted a picture of my eye lashes with the 'It's A Long Story Mascara' my friend commented and wanted to know more, so I arranged to see her on Monday too (before my other appointment)

Monday morning, and I get a message from the beauty therapist, her Mum is in hospital, so she had to  re-arrange my appointment. Then I got a message from my friend saying her husband was home that day, doing DIY and wasn't convenient. Bummer!

Never defeated, I popped off to town to a local café for a morning coffee, there is a lovely waitress there who is really nice and chatty. I went in and we had a good natter about sweets! She loves the retro Double Dips, you know, the one with the Swizzle stick! I always say the Pomegranate Fizz Sticks taste and smell just like Double Dips!!! So, anyway, I sat down with my coffee, then as I left, I went to speaks to her, told her how I thought she was lovely, nice, chatty and very open and that I had a business and would love to grab a coffee with her. We have exchanged numbers and arranged a coffee!

I then went home decided I needed to get my products out there, they needed to be working for me. They have had an easy time of it lately, sitting back, chilling in the box! Well not any more! I posted a request for people to do some 'Product Reviews' I explained I was looking for people to try some products for 3 days and give me feedback! The response was ridiculous, my phone literally kept pinging all day.

I now have 10 people, 9 of whom I do not know at all! I actually have a waiting list!! By the end of the day I had written out a review form and put together a 'review pack' made up made up their packs for their individual needs and went off to deliver 5 of them. It was so funny, I actually got lost in one place and ended up in a car park and the lady decided to come and meet me. Dark car park at 8pm at night with me handing over a bag. We couldn't help but laugh at how dodgy it looked!! Then this morning, I woke up  to this message from one of the reviewers "Hi Emma just used the set, how much would it cost me to buy that as a set?" Not bad eh?

As well as my new friends and the review packs, I also had my Son's class teacher call me over when I was collecting at the end of the day! Uh oh, what now?! I went over and it went something like this "Emma, you know those products and makeup you was telling me about, well I spoke to some of the other teachers about it. Can you come by after school one day and show us what you have, we all want to see it, we can't wait!" My reply was something like this "Erm, yeah sure, of course I can!"

I have re-arranged my original two meetings with my friend and beauty therapist and I am also planning another product event, at my house. I am going for coffee with my new friends on Friday and I have my Arbonne radar on, ready for those opportunities to arise with the 'cold market'

I am in DM qualification now and I WILL complete! I am determined to go to the next leadership in June as an Area! And I WILL do it! So, here's to getting in to action! How are you all getting on? I would love to hear from all you lovelies ladies... and gents!