Why Direct Sales?
All the myths, misconceptions and the fact that every one knows an annoying Direct Seller…I still did it. Multiple times. Here is why.
I joined my first network marketing company when I was 19 years old. It was a company that sold “Premium” candles, wax and home-decor, and the draw was this. Money. Hope. A chance. I was an uneducated, single mother, and I wanted an easy way to make some extra cash. Period. I did not have any grand desires to climb the ranks or win the trips or score a free vacuum or whatever else was on the table. I was at a point in my life that 200$ would have made a big difference for me and my son. I lived in a very small town where my alternatives were pretty limited, and all of them meant finding child care. Minimum wage was around 5$ an hour and childcare cost 3$ an hour. Like I said, money was tight and 200$ was going to make a big difference in my life. I needed to try.
This was the house lived in when I joined my first company. Every little bit counted.
I joined that company with no real life experience and definitely no business experience, so I did what most people do. I started calling my family. My mom was my best customer (she still is) and she had an in home event for me. My aunts all purchased candles and some of my friend's moms and aunts also supported my little endeavor. I was grateful, but too immature and inexperienced to really understand what to do next. My business quickly plateaued, and I convinced myself that “this business wasn’t for me”. I could see the power of the industry. I could NOT see potential in myself. I was unaware of what I didn’t know. It takes TIME to LEARN a business.
I decided to go the traditional route and go to university to become a teacher. After 5 years of post-secondary education and 60 k in students loans, followed by 2 years of substitute teaching and part-time contracts, we decided to move to Alberta where I accepted my first full time job. During my first few years of teaching, I joined a few other companies. This time the motivation was a little different. I simply wanted the discount. I did this several times. Every make-up line, skin care fad, and home organization system…I sold it. I even bought an in home “spray tan machine.” They called me the “Tanster”!! (No they didn’t. :) But my friends do now when they need a good laugh.)
Long story short, I always saw value in this industry. I knew that unlocking wholesale prices, making a little extra money and working with like minded people made sense. I knew people that were really good at this. I knew it COULD work. Over time, it became part of my conditioning, or maybe…just maybe… I simply always believed I was capable of a little more.
In 2012 a friend called me while I was reading in the bath, and told me she “found something for us to do.” It was a Dead Sea skincare line. It had been a successful retail line with 900 locations globally and it was transitioning into the Direct Selling space. We knew a girl that used the products and she was VERY DISCERNING, if you know what I mean. I was the easiest recruit in the history of the industry. I didn’t even get out of the tub!! I loved the idea of shopping without guilt and I loved the idea of working with my friend. I jumped at it. That phone call led me on a journey that I can not articulate in one blog post. I started slow with small, achievable goals. As my business grew, I grew, or rather, as I GREW, MY BUSINESS GREW. I started going to events because I wanted more growth and training!! I was not really seeking money or recognition. Those are great goals, and if you want success in this space events are MANDATORY. My motivation, however, was more personal. I wanted to believe I could do it. I wanted to feel it in my bones that I was worthy of it. I wanted to be a better JADE. Over the next decade I would go from making around 300-500$ a month to making almost 12 000$ in one day! I don't share this to brag. I certainly did not make that everyday, and to be honest, the money is the least significant thing this business has done for me. This process has taught me to believe in myself. It taught me that we all deserve success and recognition and support and a little more out of life. Somewhere along the line, I started to show up for ME.
I have learned so much in this industry, and I have experienced some success, but it is really less about the money for me, and more what the money represents: family vacations, a Fifth Wheel Trailer, our lake lot, long dinners with my husband, post-secondary tuition for my 3 kids, girls trips with some of the most incredible friends and so much more. As I embark on a new journey, I feel my focus shift again. This time it’s going to be even better!!!
So, why direct sales…all of the above and more. People join this business for so many reasons. To supplement the family business. To pay for Tiny Tots Ballet class. To stay home with kids. To get away from kids! To go back to school themselves. To have something, just for them. Or perhaps, to have something bigger than they ever thought possible. For every direct seller you meet, you will likely find one more reason to give it a shot.
For me, even with all the myths and misconceptions, it just makes sense.
Love Always,
Jade