How to Build a Successful Direct Sales Business as a Mom

Yes, Moms Can Build a Successful Direct Sales Business

Today, I want to share some tips with all of the moms out there. Some of you have started your business and you are struggling with how to balance it all how. Can you really make this work?

YES, you can and I have done it. I have gone from zero to hero, both in my business and with my family, and you can, too. It wasn’t always easy, but what is? It was SO worth it, though. I’m proud of how the last 19 years have gone and what we accomplished and still accomplish today.

By the way, this is for the DADs too, not just the moms and anyone building a team, because a large percentage of the people who will come into your business will be moms and they will find this helpful, I assure you!

I’m proud of the legacy of entrepreneurism that I have instilled in my children, whatever they choose to do with it. They are both goal oriented and well on their own paths.

I struggled a lot in the beginning and made my kids an excuse much of the time instead of making them my WHY. Jan Ruhe called me out and I made a decision and got into action.

Make your kids your POWERFUL WHY. What does that mean? Pain/Gain. What do you want MORE?

Here are some ideas for you:

Have a family meeting and explain what you are doing, what your business plan is and what you intend to accomplish for the family. Use language appropriate for their age range. Ask for their help and support.

Set up a business plan and schedule it on the calendar as best you can and stick to it. Then, you can show it as a reference point to the family and they know when you are working and when you are available.

Tips To a Terrific Home Business for the Busy Mom

1) Teach your children early on to respect your business and your time.
Set up your office in a separate room

2) Get a babysitter several hours a day (a couple of days a week or every day if
possible) so you can concentrate on your business without distraction.

3) Spend quality time with your children first in the day, then tell them that
you will be working in your office for a set amount of time and they will need
to play quietly together, watch a movie, read books, rest. Do this first and you’ll
train them. It will pay off for you.)

4) Have a box of toys that they can only play with while you are working on
your business, online or on the phone. This will keep the “novelty” of the toys
around longer. Trade the toys out at regular intervals.

5) Involve the children in your business wherever possible. Whether it’s lickin’ and
stickin’ stamps and envelopes, putting up fliers, passing out business cards to parents
of playmates, or whatever else you can afterwards. Sometimes my kids would beg to help!
Get them involved in age appropriate tasks.

6) Start a babysitting coop with other moms in your area where you can do trade-outs for babysitting time. Use this time ONLY for business building time. Then, when it’s
your turn, shut the door to your business and be Supermom (or dad!)

7) Realize that there will be times of frustration and guilt. Guilt when you are working
on your business and be working on your business! Children get sick, sometimes
misbehave and can cause moments of embarrassment.

8) Grab small pockets of time while you are running errands, make a few phone calls
during nap time, or during their favorite cartoon. Realize that “Starting and Stopping”
a project numerous times is part of the “joy” of working at home!

9) If possible, hire as much outside help as you possibly can. A cleaning service
for the house, someone to do the yard and wash the windows, etc. This frees up
more of your time for your business and your family!

10)Be proud that you are setting a great example as they grow!

Balance is a myth.

You will be in balance in some areas and out of balance in others and this is an ongoing thing. It would be this way of you were working outside of the home, sick, etc.

If you are a mom with a full time job, try to schedule an extra few minutes each day to make some calls AWAY from the house. This is tough, but necessary. Even if it’s making calls on your phone in your car. 2 calls a day will begin to create the business you want.

Set reasonable goals for yourself and DON’T compare yourself to others. This is dangerous. No two people have the same life situation.

Be the best that you can be and commit to those income producing activities first, and avoid email except for specific times during the day.

Develop a story that encourages other moms and keep taking those baby steps forward.

Here are some more ideas on what worked for me.

1. Give up your need for perfection or to control the task too heavily.

2. Have conversations daily with them about your business and what it means to the entire family.

3. Use the reward system.

4. Recognize “where” you are in your life sequence and set your expectations around that.

5. DECIDE that you will give up all other “clutter” in your own life in order to work your business at every possible moment you can when the kids allow.

6. Make phone calls in the car during practices. Not games.

7. NEVER use quiet time to do housework. my preschool/kindergarten story with the kids, zooming home to work.

8. Get your kids involved in household chores. Do this after school time, when you have been working your business. Make it fun.

Get very clear on your reason why. This will sustain you when someone tells you no, or things get slow. Make sure your why is very powerful to you and that it means more to you than what anyone else might say or think. For me, the ability to create a fabulous lifestyle for my family and to never have my kids in day care meant more to me than anyone else’s opinion.

Realize that as a mom with small children, you will have to balance and prioritize in a different way. Communicate with your sponsor and your team about your commitment, your priorities and how you will balance the two. Never feel the need to compromise your values in building your Direct Sales business. I didn’t and you don’t have to either.

You can do it!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

My Business and Team Plan for 2013

By Jackie Ulmer Leave a Comment

Welcome 2013! It’s here, like it or not! And, most people I have spoken with are GLAD to release 2012 and welcome in this promising, new year! How about you?

It’s always a good idea to reflect on what worked and what didn’t from the previous year, and so I thought it might be helpful for you if I shared a little of what 2012 consisted of, and what lies ahead for myself and my team for 2013.

Actually, 2012 was a great year for me. I won the SendOutCards company wide award as Top Sponsoring Team Builder; was named to the Eagle’s Nest Advisory Panel for the Summer and Winter session, and took top 5 (or higher) honors in the Eagle’s Point Challenge all year! I am a goal setter by nature and I love working with others to set powerful goals, and then lay out the action steps that make those goals come alive, and come to pass!

Would this interest you?

As exciting as it is to win an award, it is MUCH more rewarding when your team does as well. And, I had some of the team finish in the top 50 and top 100 in the Eagle’s Point Challenges, too! Kudos to the team!

How did I do this? How did WE do this?

Well, we followed the simple daily action steps laid out by the company, in our training. And, as a team, we worked hard on developing good “scripting language for success!” We did team calls, role playing and one on one work together to help anyone who wanted to develop and improve on what they say to introduce the business to others.

We have a team accountability and mentoring call every week, along with a team calling blitz. While neither are mandatory, those who join in see much higher results, typically, than those who don’t!

Those are all great examples of what worked.

We had our team launch call on January 2nd, and covered some specific ideas for building the team and getting more people into top earning slots. Once you are on the team, you’ll have access to all of our calls.

Here are some areas we covered on the call and are focused on as a team for 2013 –

Social Media is back in the spotlight! I am truly convinced that WHEN DONE RIGHT, the internet and tools of Social Media are a powerful way to find people interested in the business. So, I’ll be coaching on the methods that helped me sponsor over 1,400 people in the last 13 years, and become that top sponsoring team builder for the SOC year!!!

We are focused on these key things as a team –

MeetUp and building locally through Social Media first.
Blogging – this powerful tool is a solid platform for anyone who wants to attract a following, and is willing to BE CONSISTENT and learn!
Using Facebook to reach out, connect and FORM people. We are NOT talking about blatant advertising, posting your opportunity links and calls all over your timeline, etc. I am talking about building relationships and reaching out to people who indicate a desire.
Niche markets – who can you relate to?

Offline, we are focused on some key areas that work

Small, in home business launches, or Coffee and Cards gatherings.
Local Networking events – we have a GREAT product to introduce to small business owners – ask about our Gratitude Marketing overviews and ways of introducing our product to others!
Live daily Opportunity calls
Our simple Card Demo and Walk Through – no easier way to share the business

These are a few of the proven, timeless methods that have worked for me for the past 19 years offline, and the past 13 years online.

And, of course, the real beauty of having a truly internet based business – this is the perfect business for that because:

We are unique, not competing with dozens of “me too” companies and products such as weight loss, vitamins, juice, nutritional products; skincare; makeup; travel; technology, etc. Nothing wrong with those, except when the question comes up – what makes your XYZ unique?
We have a business where you can literally make your list, pick up the phone, share what we are doing using our proven “scripting” techniques; ask for referrals and do it all without leaving your home
No products to stock or deliver
No inventory to keep on hand
No expensive monthly auto-costs or ongoing costs
Lucrative training bonus program

So, these are a few of the things that await you as a SOC team partner. I would love to get started with you today.

Did you know that January through May is PEAK business building season? No better time for you to start and succeed.

IF you are ready, use the form below and let’s get you started. I am laser focused for 2013 – what about you?

Please complete the form below and let's schedule a time to connect to talk about how I might support you.

<—— Like this idea? Share it with others!!! And, share your comments below! I would love to start a conversation!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

7 Transformation Tips For Success in Your Business

By Jackie Ulmer Leave a Comment

Are You Looking For the Shortcut to Success

Recently, my sponsor shared some powerful insights on a team call and I thought that they are important for everyone to know and understand, when you are evaluating a business, or actually building one! Here they are:

Everyone wants a shortcut. AND the good news is there are shortcuts. The bad news is they are not what most people think. A shortcut is not a mass marketing system that will sign up lots and lots of people for you. A shortcut is not an automatic sponsoring system that will eliminate the need to talk to people. What most people see as the long road is actually the short road.

A 15 minute conversation is way more valuable than blasting an e-mail out to 150 people that you don’t know. Three 15 minute conversations per day with people in your network helps to create the valuable relationships that can take your business to the next level.

1. TRANSFORMATION TIP: Keep a list of people to call every day just to ‘Check In’ – Call at least 3 people a day just to say ‘Hi’ and see how they are doing. (NOTE from Jackie: I have used technology as a powerful tool the last 11+ years, and my success has come from using the internet to generate the lead, and then immediately transitioning to a phone all or face to face meeting! No one wants to do business with a robot!)

2. TRANSFORMATION TIP: Spend 90% of your time connecting with people on a personal level face to face or over the phone and 10% of your time connecting with people using technology. (NOTE from Jackie: These are often called elevator calls, designed to “lift someone up! Try it!)

3. TRANSFORMATION TIP: Limit your time on Facebook to 15 minutes per day (I know that is hard for some, but it’s a must if you want to build a successful business). My only exception to this rule is if you want to ‘schedule’ 2 hours a week just to casually ‘chat’ with others that are online to see if you can advance your relationships. It’s live and real time which is a different experience than ‘posting’. Your goal is to eventually take it offline so that you can have real human contact. (NOTE from Jackie: I how to use technology tools effectively in 30 minutes to an hour a day! It’s part of your free training as a member of the team!)

4. TRANSFORMATION TIP: Limit your TV time (or eliminate it all together). Replace it with reading and listening to positive CD’s. You won’t miss anything. You’ll hear the important stuff from your friends. TV kills brain cells and books and CD’s strengthens them. (NOTE from Jackie: I did this in 1997, 3 years into my business. My income started growing and never stopped. I never went back and I am happier today!)

5. TRANSFORMATION TIP: Seek out to MEET people that do business with people that would do business with us. When they see our online greeting card system they get excited because the know so many people that could benefit from our program. Think about who does business with people that would do business with us? (NOTE from Jackie: In these challenging economic times, businesses are scrambling to find ways to retain customers and create referrals. We have the key! Share it and see what happens. We have a great script that is working; it’s yours as part of your team training once you are signed up!)

6. TRANSFORMATION TIP: Send way more cards out that appreciate others and less cards to market yourself. Go to your mailbox and pick up your mail. What do you keep and what do you throw away? What do you forget and what do you remember? (NOTE from Jackie: I have almost ever card I received from this company over the last 6 years!)

7. TRANSFORMATION TIP: Have fun with the business. Make your cards, colorful, social, active, vibrant and FUN. Make your meetings light and easy. Be someone that others want to be around.’ (NOTE from Jackie: People want to be where the fire, energy and excitement is. Create a fire with your excitement!)

Are you ready to be transformed and transform others?

Landmark Year for the Card Business

By Jackie Ulmer Leave a Comment

Is 2011 Going to be YOUR Year in YOUR Own Business?

Message from my sponsor, Jordan Adler:

This is going to be a landmark year for our Greeting Card and Gift Business. After spending 2 days at our headquarters last week, I am convinced that we have the best CEO in Network Marketing. Our CEO’s commitment to our cause, his passion and vision are unmatched. He is 5 years ahead of us.

Millions of dollars in technology have been installed in the past 12 months to prepare us for some announcements and growth like we have never seen. The way to be ready is to have your team in place. To gain maximum leverage, you’ll want to have a group of committed leaders all working together.

There will be many announcements in the coming days. In 2011, we will transform our Greeting Card Business and touch many many more people. 4 short years ago, we had no gifts or gift cards, no glossy finish, no fancy 2.0 Picture Interface and our company was doing about 500,000 cards per year.

Today we are a ‘State of the Art’ Technology Company that sent over 600,000 cards in ONE DAY and millions in the month of December alone! Just imagine what we will do in the next four years. For many of you, this will be the year that EVERYTHING changes.

I would love to count you among my leaders. Are you in?

Yes, Moms Can Build a Successful Direct Sales Business

Tips To a Terrific Home Business for the Busy Mom

Balance is a myth.

Are You Looking For the Shortcut to Success

Is 2011 Going to be YOUR Year in YOUR Own Business?

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