One of my readers has a lot of experience with Mary Kay–the reader is the husband of a director and works closely with her in her business. His screen name is mkhonesty and the first entry on this page is from him:
Stay at it consistently. Three $300 weeks is better than a $1,000 week and then nothing for two weeks.
Watch your inventory. Keep enough on your shelves to service your customers and plan for future growth, but remember, money stored in the form of inventory is committed. Take full advantage of the EDP (Earned Discount Privilege). I know some on this blog hate the shipping charge, but it’s better than overstocking.
Some customers will want you to order and then pay when the product is delivered. Bluntly, they can’t do that at Wal-Mart, why do they think they can do it with you. (And they couldn’t do it with a direct-ship system either.) Layaway sometimes works, but it can become a real nightmare keeping track of it. The best way to avoid the problem is to have the product on hand, but sometimes you’ll have a customer who wants 3 Ex Em Night Creams. (as a new cons, I bet you don’t have even 1. 
) If you have 1 or 2 on the shelf, collect the money, deliver 1 and order the other 2. Keep the customer informed. Orders like this happen in other businesses too. Unless the customer needs all three for gifts (?), she’ll understand. The hard one comes when everyone at a SCC likes the hostess’ color look and you don’t have 4 Red Salsa lipsticks!
I see very little reason for a consultant to have more than 1-2 months supply on the shelf, again because of EDP (shipping is a business deduction). Look at the order form. If you need a TW cleanser, moist and a Day and Night Solution, order a Miracle Set, you’ll save $5 in wholesale compared to ordering them individually. That does not mean ordering a miracle set when all you need is a cleanser! Keeping control of your inventory also means you won’t be caught flat-footed when products change. (Everything eventually changes. No matter what. Some customers won’t understand why they can’t get Antique Ivory F3 or oatmeal mask anymore. Even if some other cons has it, it’s way past its use time. If the customer is not happy with it, she will blame you for selling expired product to her, no matter how many times you warned her.)
Lastly, watch your expenses. Ask yourself, “do I really need this for my business?” I have seen consultants spend thousands on office furniture! Yes, it’s deductable, but if you’re in a 20% tax bracket, spending a dollar on expenses only saves you 20 cents on your taxes, not the whole dollar. I don’t mean to say that all expenses that are not for immediate consumption are bad. I can’t put a dollar value on the time savings, but the $140 we spent on Blvd years ago are worth every penny. (but only if you use the program. Computers are machines for making bigger mistakes faster. If you don’t tell the program that you took a mascara for personal use, then it will tell you that it’s still on the shelf.)
97 comments
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February 21, 2007 at 2:50 am
Rebecca
Gotta love that MKHonesty! You are saying exactly what I have said many many times.
My motto: Maximize profits; minimize expenses.
February 21, 2007 at 10:27 am
ashley
I am about to sign to get started with MK and inventory is a big deal to me as I am not sure what I will need..I dont want to have a full store right away,but want enough to be able to cover my first 10 SCC.
February 21, 2007 at 10:55 am
Me
Ashley, welcome to MK!! Talk with your director about inventory levels and what is the best for you and your goals. Read mkhonesty’s comments above (which apparently you have already done) and keep his suggestions in mind. I am a believer in inventory but no overload. Our goal should be consistency and that includes ordering in my opinion, so that you are able to have fresh product that is moving, as well as being able to have new products as they are introduced. Let us know if we can help in any way.
February 21, 2007 at 12:24 pm
mkhonesty
Regarding colors, my wife always say, “If you look good, customers want what you’re wearing”.
February 22, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Me
This came to me via email from a director I know. It was “un-blog related” but I felt it was great information that new consultants, and seasoned consultants, would benefit from. I have also experienced what is described below, so I can attest to its truth! Here it is:
“In my [over a decade] in the business, I’ve seen alot of great MK products, and have had many favorites, and alot of “loves”, but I now feel that there is one new product THAT EVERY CONSULTANT SHOULD TRY. The new Even Complexion Essence has done more for my skin than probably any product we have ever had. My skin literally looks better than it did 10 years ago. So much in fact, that I have gone to only wearing Tinted Moisturizer and a little powder…NO FOUNDATION AT ALL. Even for parties and appointments. Here is what happened. Last Fall when the product came out, I tried it, as I had some sun spots on my face. They did begin to fade right away. When I had finished the first bottle, Summer was over, and the spots were greatly diminished. My skin looked and felt better all over, but I didn’t think that much about it until another friend and consultant commented on how much better her skin looked and felt since starting on ECE. I told her, “yeah, me too!” glad to know that I wasn’t just imagining things. Well, since Summer WAS over, and I thought the product was just for those types of spots, I didn’t open a second bottle. Then I noticed that I was needing more and more foundation again. So, about 6 weeks ago, I opened a second bottle. Same results. My skin started to look great again. Redness and ruddiness went away, my skin tone is even, it is is smooth and glowing, and I’m back to just the Tinted Moisturizer!
TRY IT! Use it for 1 month. If you do not see awesome results, return it through the Product Replacement Program. We have that same privilege that our customers do! So, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Just had to share on this one…sorry it’s so long,”
February 28, 2007 at 9:48 am
foreverpink
dont forget to get your Mary Kay website started. Go to the Mary Kay intouch web site and get one. It is only $50 per year, and it can easily pay for itself.
February 28, 2007 at 2:57 pm
pynkmyst
PCP is a GREAT tool too! A lot of people over look this but I think it is even more important for the part time consultant! How great to have Look books sent direct to your clients for just $69 cents (or whatever it is now) instead of having to order them, pay shipping of $8.35 (soon to be $8.75) and then 87 cents per book to mail.
YAY for PCP!!!
February 28, 2007 at 3:19 pm
foreverpink
Yeah you are right..it sure is a great program. And not only do they send the look books out on a regualar basis, they send other brochures as well. Sending all of those things yourself, even if you just sent the look books, would be so much more expensive then if you just let mk do it for you. So by all means get on the preferred customer program (PCP). Remember watching expenses is key..
February 28, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Colleen
Ok please dont throw the tomatoes but I think the reason some dont want to do the PCP is this (correct me if Im wrong) I read that if a consultant quits those names go to the director and some former consultants dont want those names going to anyone to harass them to buy anything. I think PCP is a great thing too but if someone is going to abuse those names its not. If Im wrong please advise.
February 28, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Me
Colleen, customer names are NOT given out when a consultant quits. The director doesn’t even have access to them (unless the consultant gave her the password to the consultant’s In Touch). I don’t have time to look for it right now, but there is a “blerb” on In Touch that tells that.
February 28, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Rebecca
Let’s do remember those pesky federal privacy laws. The Company can NOT give a consultant’s customers’ information (even if she quits MK) to anyone without the permission of the customer. As I understand it, the Company will send an email to the customers asking if they want their info to be given to another member of the sales force. Yes, Me, there is a “blerb” on InTouch that explains it all.
March 1, 2007 at 2:07 am
mkrules
Don’t depend only on your friends and family. They are a great starting point, but you will need to book more appointments from your original ones to keeo the business growing; new faces are essential to success.
March 1, 2007 at 7:56 am
Linda
foreverpink- Don’t forget… for new consultants the Web site is only $25! Half off for their first year! YEA!
March 1, 2007 at 8:16 am
foreverpink
Now that’s even better!! You cant beat that!
March 1, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Me
Great post on The Fuchsia Blog!! Go here: http://thefuchsiablog.wordpress.com/2007/03/01/yes-you-can-advertise-your-mk-business/
March 1, 2007 at 3:08 pm
pynkmyst
Regarding PCP and names, when a consultant gets to her 12th non-ordering month the company sends an email to them but does NOT just turn their names over to someone - email text below:
Dear Consultant Name,
We know how important your customers are to you, just as you are to us. Our records show that you have not placed an order in several months, which prompted this e-mail.
If your goal is to continue your Mary Kay business, you can regain your active status by submitting a minimum $200 wholesale Section 1 order. Click here to order via the Mary Kay InTouch® Web site or call 1-800-272-9333 to order by phone.
You may already have plenty of inventory on your shelves to service your loyal Mary Kay customers. If so, we encourage you to continue building your business! As Mary Kay said, “Nothing happens until someone sells something!” Why not set a goal to call 10 customers today and start moving some of those products off your shelves and into their hands!
Or perhaps you have decided to discontinue your Mary Kay business. To ensure continued quality service to all Mary Kay customers, we offer the Customer Referral Program, which, with your permission, allows us to provide continued service to your customers via another Independent Beauty Consultant. Wouldn’t you agree that your customers deserve to continue using Mary Kay products? It’s quick and easy…just click here to find out more.
Thank you for your continued support. Best of luck in all the goals you’ve set for yourself. If you have any questions or for more information, please call 1-800……
So that is how that process works ya’all.
March 1, 2007 at 3:36 pm
foreverpink
once again…mk corporate has thought of everything. Does a similar coorespondence go to the customers so that they won’t be surprised when a new beauty consultant calls them? There was a situation a few years ago that caused me to decide to take a break from my business so I just told all my customers to call my director or one of my sister consultants for the things they needed until I got back on my feet. I let my director and fellow consultants know to be expecting the calls. To me that is a good way to handle it as well. I never went inactive for a whole year so I never got one of those letters however. But I even let them know the favorite products of some of my customers, cause you know some people dont know the names of the things that they use..they expect you to keep up with it and know it by heart. When I got back on my feet, they all came back. This biz is so cool!!
March 1, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Colleen
Thanks for correcting me on this and leading me to the right path I had HEARD otherwise..thanks for the proof..you all learn well from ME and Rebecca on this blog…thanks Myst!!! Me thank you for Einsteins (Rebeccas posting)
March 1, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Rebecca
Colleen, you are SO funny!
Einstein
March 2, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Colleen
Rebecca and ME and others I really am glad you posted this because this is what I was led to believe!!! Some people wouldnt believe some of the rumors going on out there that is why I cherish this information. Do you know how many people are out there saying that MK pays for 80 percent of your car insurance and that we only have 10 percent of the market. People are giving different numbers and we dont know how much car insurance they are paying (depending on their production) …the only thing that I dont like that I hear on some of these hotlines or I stories we hear is 1) There are no quotas (and that is not true) and you can make an executive income working 10-15 hours a week. Any TOP Director or top salesperson who is making 60k or better is working at least 25 hours a week or more!!!!! You CAN make an executive income working 30 hours a week if you have a unit of 150 people or more and have a lot of customers or if you are a recruiting machine and hold a lot of classes. I dont think anyone is making a 6 figure income and not working more than 25-30 hours or more I just dont buy it. My director also told me that the reason why a lot of directors expenses are high is they renting out hotel rooms and sharing them with 3 other directors and they dont need all of that space unless they have 30 or more people coming. Its all in the name of trying to impress. There are church halls and smaller places they can rent if they have 20 people or more coming ..i went to two meetings in hotels when I first joined and it was a National who had over 60-people coming every week. She also had several red jackets and 2-3 DIQ’s there.
Women (or men) who have 20 people showing up all of the time do not need to rent hotels unless they can afford it and have a lot of guests. Sorry for the rant but it makes me mad that people always feel they have to follow the leader and hurt their pocket. Rebecca I STILL think you are brilliant..you get to the facts much better than I do I have to work on that
March 21, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Me
Visit Pynk Myst’s classroom at http://pynkmyst.wordpress.com/pynkclassroom/ !
April 15, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Me
I am so excited! I just saw what the PCP gift is going to be for the summer. It is a travel size of the CelluShape system! This is going to be GREAT for us to introduce this product to our clients, and just in time for summer fun. I have had lots of people ask about this product, but were wary about trying it. Now they can for free!
Check out In Touch to see the picture and read about the important dates to sign up for PCP Summer 2007.
April 15, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Colleen
Oh WOW this will be great its a way of getting it out there…
April 20, 2007 at 8:35 pm
colleen
Ladies hear my heart on this..LOL I really mean it though there is NO shame in working a part time job if you are doing MK full time or if you are a new director. People have no IDEA of the number of VIBE drivers out there who are not directors who are working MK 10-15 hours a week and making an extra 2000 a month and a car to boot and they are working their regular full time jobs or a part time job. Dont listen to women who tell you to go full time if you cant afford it! I once heard a National say noone should ever quit their full time job until they have 100-150 customers on the basic skin care program, miracle set, roll up etc…..I think the reason some are frustrated is they were pressured to quit their jobs and do this full time and the bottom sank!!! Unless one is married or have 3-6 months worth of salary in the bank dont do it! I know a girl who was a red jacket 12 years ago and she worked a part time job and did MK full time for 2 years until she got to 80 unit members and now she is a top director. YES she is agressive I will say but the point is she did work as a temp for 2 years and worked smart and not hard. Master recruiter she is but I give her credit remember there is no shame do what you have to do until you get there.
April 29, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Colleen
Check this link out… there are 30 stars with and without make-up. It’s quite revealing!
And it really shows what make-up can do!!!
http://tuvida.aol.com/moda-y-belleza/fotos/stars-without-make-up
From another board..this is great!!!
May 26, 2007 at 2:34 pm
colleen
Can someone please explain something to me?
1 Where do people on these negative blogs get off thinking that 25-50.00 a year is expensive to run a website? If you look at the calibur of that MK website if you to go to an outside person to develop it and maintain it ..it would surely cost 1000.00 or MORE it is VERY professional.
2. Id like to know if you cant afford 2000.00 order if you have a 200-400 skin care class why cant you just keep 40-50 percent for yourself and order it and either just keep doing it that way or build up your inventory you have STILL made money so how can you say you didnt make any money?
3. Unless there are anti JaniKing blogs or other moaning blogs about franchises how come I dont see anyone saying how come Avon, and Tupperware and Pampered Chef and the sex-toys business, and Fuller Brush girls..etc dont have benefits. MK is the only company I see where people are complaining they dont have benefits. I would love to see someone show me where as an independent contractor (and I dont mean companies where you are on straight commission) because most of those you are an employee and some do and some dont have benefits) I mean direct sales Shaklee and those listed above…why is it I see some people moaning they dont have benefits they know that coming in.
May 26, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Me
Colleen, you are so right. Tracy herself is self-employed and doesn’t get any benefits that she herself doesn’t give. No one on PT has ever mentioned that!
Working for a retail store or fast-food place (often the topic of the anti-MKers) also doesn’t provide benefits most of the time. Only full-timers are eligible and the cost is prohibitive for a lot of employees.
May 27, 2007 at 9:36 am
Colleen
This is from a group Im the moderators of and she is a web expert!!!!
Which proves that although MK makes some profit off of the site but read the rest of what she has to say.
I agree and disagree. I run websites for my “real” job so I know a
little of what I am talking about.
I think $50 is a fair price, but it certainly doesn’t cost MK that
much to run it. They are just mirror sites basically. Even updating
them can be done in a very short time. So they are making a little
profit off the sites (I am sure they have hosting that offers
unlimited sub domains and bandwidth, so it costs nothing extra to put
up individual sites or to host them)
But compared to Avon, it is a very fair deal. At Avon, you pay
$7.50-9.50(depending if you are a recruiter) Every Two weeks for a
site, and you don’t even get the e mail forwarding. You also only
earn 20% off your sales. And your customers pay shipping if they want
delivery to their house instead of through you. At $8.50 every two
weeks the site costs you $221 a year,so $50 is a real bargain if you
ask me.
Plus you can promote your MK site (per their TOS) If you use their pre
scripted phrases, and easily link it to your website (if you have a
site that is NOT MK related).
So that may be something to think about. have a great weekend everyone.
August 3, 2007 at 5:10 am
lil_twiglet
Hello all… I’m a new consultant…I’ve been enjoying your blog…it’s been very encouraging, some of the mk people don’t want to give you honest info that will help you, but we should encourage each other and we will all succeed.
August 4, 2007 at 4:09 pm
colleen
Lil twiglet I would encourage you to go to the MK website and read In touch and you will see everything you need there…and it WORKS.
August 23, 2007 at 5:30 pm
colleen
Hey ME can you start a thread (if not) what the perception is of people thinking that MK is saturated. Are there certain states people think there are too many consultants or do the successful directors think that they had to recruit in different states or locally in order to be profitable. When you hear people saying that recruits are everywhere is it an excuse or do you buy this statement? I must say I dont see as many MK compacts and lipsticks as I used to I think that there is a chance to regain some market share here. I see this as an opportunity because there are more women on the earth now and the teenage product Velocity. What do you all think?
September 1, 2007 at 11:16 am
colleen
You all really need to read this it shows how misinformation gets out and people start making up their minds about what they have heard and not getting the facts its about MAC read the whole thing because we know this is a popular line and even they have their detractors. I thought I was reading an mk board (same thing we dont get commission …oh no we do get commission, MAC does animal testing, no they dont do animal testing..MAC breaks me out…MAC does wonders for me) its the same thing!!!
http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=67762
September 3, 2007 at 9:09 am
PINK BREN
Read it!! I think that all brands have their lovers of the brand and haters of the brand. I know that those that work in the stores at the cosmetic counters are not professional make-up artist ( at least in the state of Texas) because if they are touching the face without being in a license facility they would be getting fines out the…. Anyway we all have our favs and mine just happens to be MK. I know that I have a friend a beautiful black women and she used to use mac and now she uses MK and is a consultant. She said this is her personal opinion “I don’t know why black women think that mac is all that because Mk beats it hands down.”
September 5, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Katelin
Hi! I want to know if someone has tested the new Targeted Eye revitalizer and if you have seen some difference in her dark circles
September 6, 2007 at 6:29 am
PINK BREN
Katelin, I have been using it for about a week now and yes I can tell a difference. I think that it works well.
September 6, 2007 at 9:54 am
MK4ME
The Targeted Eye revitalizer is amazing. It is by far the best eye product we have ever had.
September 6, 2007 at 12:32 pm
LV4MK
Here, here! I’ve been using the Targeted Action Eye Revitalizer for maybe 3 weeks and the darkness under my eyes, which USED to be almost purple, has now lightened to a faded red. I’ve actually stopped using concealer!
September 6, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Me
I have been using it for about a month now and I LOVE IT!! I thought the company created this product just for me as I have suffered from allergies for the past 17 years and have puffiness under my eyes all the time. I have sold 18 of these just from people seeing what an improvement it has made on my face.
September 6, 2007 at 4:17 pm
shadesofpink
About the eye revitalizer: I have not tried it yet, however, one of the directors I meet with regularly said a director she knows tried using it on just one eye to see the difference. Apparently, the difference was such that it looked like she had suffered a stroke! So, one eye must’ve been very improved while the other one looked really puffy because of the difference. Amazing! I will have to experiment myself.
September 6, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Katelin
Wow! I´ve suffered during all my life with my dark circles , I really hate to use concealer because their color is almost violet and …ok, the make-up makes a great difference but , you know, if a product can help me…gee…I´ll be ready to use it!
September 27, 2007 at 2:13 pm
shadesofpink
Hey Katelin–if you still read on this blog, if you’re having issues with covering the circles with concealor, try Yellow concealor. I use yellow and it neautralizes the darkness of the circles and blends nicely with foundation. Just a tip!
October 5, 2007 at 8:16 pm
mkhonesty
I couldn’t decide whether to title this post “Customer Service at its Worst”, “How to alienate a customer in one easy step” or “How to murder your own business” …
I just had a phone call from a lady. She was looking for a new consultant because she didn’t want to deal anymore with the one she had. The lady hostessed a $400 class for the consultant, and the consultant stiffed her out of the hostess credit.
I asked the lady to call 1-800-MARYKAY and report her negative experience to the Company, because crappy consultants give us all a bad name. I told her that I was sure that the Company would “make it right”. The lady said that she didn’t want to do that, because the consultant “was a friend”. (Some friend.) She just wanted a new consultant
So now my wife has a new customer. I’m delivering a Day Solution and an A/F Moisturizer (C/O) tomorrow morning and picking up a check for $52 + tax.
To make matters worse for this consultant, our new customer is likely NOT to refer anyone to her old consultant. Since the guests at a class are most likely friends of the hostess, I would not be surprised to receive more phone calls from our new customer’s friends “looking for a new consultant”, even though I did not suggest this action to our new customer.
Is this “stealing a customer”? No. Neither my wife or I knew this new customer before she called. We don’t know the consultant’s name. The customer came to us, period. It’s no different from a person calling and saying that her consultant doesn’t return phone calls, takes 3 weeks to deliver an order, or “no longer sells Mary Kay”. Which, if this consultant doesn’t fix her customer service, will probably be an accurate description for her.
October 6, 2007 at 12:42 am
Colleen
MK Honesty do you do deliveries for your wife? Another question I have I remember you’re saying some months ago that you think NSD’s should be working. In other words after they reach that level they should still hol-d skin care classes. Correct me if Im wrong but I thought the major reason for reaching that level is so you can retire and not have to work as hard.
Im not knocking what you think an NSD should do and I see nothing wrong with working until the age of 60 (Im not going to quote you because I dont remember exactly what you said) but it was something to the effect of NSD’s shouldnt just get money from their offspring and then there was a statement awhile back about Ms Stoops. I would assume she would get to NSD because her husband has all of contacts in the sports arenas. I dont
know her I have only read about her. Not trying to dig up dirt just wanted your view on working NSD’s.
October 6, 2007 at 3:56 pm
shadesofpink
I don’t view anything wrong w/ your wife taking care of that new customer, MK Honesty. One director I work closely with says if someone approaches you for service and states that her consultant is giving poor service, she is fair game. I have a customer who came to me (well, her husband is my eye doctor and he referred her) because her consultant was constantly getting her orders wrong. I suggested she stay with her consultant, but she insisted on coming to me instead. In these cases, it’s up to the customer. Like you, I don’t have any idea who her other consultant was.
Colleen–I have 2¢ on working NSD’s. My NSD is Kathy Helou and she still works like a consultant. She holds classes in her home as well as career coffees. In 2004 she personally debuted 4 or 5 offspring directors that were her personal team members. I think NSD’s should definitely keep working to set an example. Because of their NSD responsibilities, they may not have time to hold as many classes, but I think good leaders lead by example. My NSD can demonstrate through example that you can always make time for appointments (at least, that is my view). It also tells me that she still thinks what consultants do is important–so important that it’s still part of the NSD’s job description.
October 6, 2007 at 4:16 pm
mkhonesty
Yes, I do deliveries for my wife. Not every single one, but probably 80% of them.
Yes, I think NSD’s should have units, hold classes and be “working Nationals”. I do not like the idea of a person getting to NSD and then kicking back on the deck all day. MKC encourages NSDs to work. How? By waving a big fat carrot in their faces called the $5,000 New 1st Line Director Bonus. Fromwhat I read years ago in the Global Leadership Development handout about recruiting and developing offspring in Europe, over there a NSD has to maintain the number of 1st and 2nd lines (with their minimum production requirements) or lose the position. I doubt that this formula could be implemented in the US and Canada, because what do you do with the current NSDs that couldn’t meet the NIQ requirements. Do you give them a year to get their act together?
Define “not have to work as hard”. Is work “work” when you enjoy what you are doing, or is it “work” when you have to do something that someone else tells you to do on their schedule? Remember the line from BTO’s Taking Care of Business, “Look at me I’m self-employed, I love to work at nothing all day”?
NSD mandatory retirement is 65.
I’m going to have to look up what my comment was about Carol Stoops and the context. I know that is was not in relation to non-working NSDs. If she was able to take advantage of her husband’s contacts, all the power to her. That is no different than any other sales or business contact.
October 6, 2007 at 4:54 pm
mkhonesty
colleen: I’m going to have to play dumb here. I can’t find a comment that I wrote about NSD Carol Stoops, using either the search box or the record of my posts on my WordPress Dashboard.
One comment about using business contacts: Most of the time, all they do is get you in the door, or maybe one sale. If you abuse business contacts, it will quickly backfire on you, because what you are doing is ruining your reputation. The contacts will speak among themselves, and if they aren’t outright negative about you, they will “damn you with faint praise”. You may still be able to use your contacts to get past the front door or the secretary who guards the telephone, but probably not any further. There are books on how to effectively (and ethically) “network”.
October 6, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Colleen
Shades I remember Kathy Helou making a speech I have on a tape and she is almost obsessive about MK…LOL I mean that in a good way. I think its in her blood and of course she was around when MK was living so I guess that helps. I didnt know Kathy was still holding classes that is quite impressive. Kathy before she became an NSD (if you have been around a while) was one of the top producing units in MK for years!! I think she was the first one to do 2 million!!! She is a great teacher thanks for the info.
October 7, 2007 at 11:15 am
shadesofpink
LOL–Colleen, Kathy Helou can be obsessive. I think she’s just very passionate because MK really helped her out of a slump she was in. I have only been in the company 4 years, but know all about Kathy because I’ve met her and I’ve seen her speak on several occasions. I also have just about every CD she’s put out there. (Maybe I’m obsessive, too; lol!) I go after MK the way I went after my dance career. I soak everything in and find a role model to emulate. In ballet it was Gelsey Kirkland; in MK it’s Kathy Helou.
And you are right–Kathy Helou was the first to do $2 million!
She still works and she now has opened up her marketing calls to consultants in her Area. So, we can have a potential team member dial in with us on a marketing conference call with Kathy! I think it’s awesome that she puts herself out there for all of us.
October 8, 2007 at 7:35 am
Colleen
Shades Im obsessive about music!!! I know the chart positions of almost everything and anyone who sang between 1960-1990..LOL
October 8, 2007 at 10:03 am
Pink Biz
I love everything MK and music too! Now a comment for mkhonesty..
mkhonesty said (and said it so well): I couldn’t decide whether to title this post “Customer Service at its Worst”, “How to alienate a customer in one easy step” or “How to murder your own business” …
Pink Biz reply: They’re all great titles in my opinion and rightfully so. Ah, the sabotage of one’s business — look out! The dear customer is treated with no r-e-s-p-e-c-t many times over. That should be part of new consultant training on how to operate your business ethically from a customer standpoint. Should be common sense really.
October 9, 2007 at 3:10 pm
colleen
Very inspiring from a yahoo board…..
What is Mary Kay Success?
Do you ever wonder what SUCCESS in Mary Kay really is? I think in Mary Kay we need to celebrate our every day successes. Some of you may be thinking, ‘What successes do I have to celebrate? I’m not #1 in my unit; I’m not a RED Jacket yet, Car winner, DIQ and so on. We need to celebrate our every day success. You need to concentrate on what you have done - not what you have not done. Getting that $50 order, getting a referral from a customer, getting a facial booked or just handing out 5 look books. These every day successes build your self-esteem, build your client base, build your profit and build your future. Each small success will build into larger and more exciting Successes!!! The Every day Successes will lead you to Celebrate that huge, large, exciting SUCCESS, whether it is paying off debt, paying for college for your kids or grandkids, the Mary Kay Vibe, Directorship or even the ULTIMATE - NSD!
I have been in Mary Kay for 13 years this March. I am not the #1 Unit Sales Director in The ****Area or The ***** line. I am not the #1 recruiting Director . . . not #1, 2 or 3 but I am building on my every day successes.
Let me tell you the successes I am excited about . . . I have gotten my ‘Basic’ clientele to almost 200 - total clients 430. I sold $7,000 in March, $4,000 of it in Microdermabrasion. The reason I could do that is because of the every day successes I had over the past 10 years - the books I’ve handed out, the referrals, the facials held, the classes held. Another success- our Unit is in ******’s top 20 this year - We are #17 and that is so exciting to me! We are constantly going forward and building. Another Success - BIG success - *****, my husband & I were able to pay off the house we live in - we are debt FREE!!! The reason I’m sharing this personal information with you is that my Mary Kay commission checks went directly to our house payment - some times it was double our house payment, triple or even 4 times what we owed. We built our house less then 10 years ago and because of [husband] & my income - we owe NOTHING. Could we have paid off the house without MK - yes …..in the future, but not in less then 10 years. My Mary Kay has contributed to our home in so many ways.
Could we live without my Mary Kay income? - Yes. But we could not live the way we want to - the ‘time’ choices, The vacations, the clothes, [children]’s extras - sports, movies, camps. And because I am a work at home Mom - our house is the gathering spot [children]’s friends. If I worked outside the home I would not have that Choice!!! Am I glad that I made the ‘Choice’ to work my business and not just ‘do’ Mary Kay? You betcha!!! Mary Kay has helped make us DEBT FREE. We hear many Nationals talk about ‘Debt Free’ and the idea sounds great. It is exciting, BUT until you are DEBT FREE - you don’t know what FREEDOM that is . . . the unbelievable release of stress and the new excitement to wake up each day thinking ‘I owe no one.’ I think much more abundantly now and my kids think that way too! My daughter, *** who is in 6th grade wants to go to Hawaii after she graduates 8th grade. Is she an abundant thinker - yes. Is she willing to work for that abundance - yes. She does not expect it to be given to her - she is mowing 3 yards this summer and babysitting. She has a chart going and she expects to make about $1500 this summer alone. She is going to pay for her own plane ticket to Hawaii - a deal her Dad and she made and of course I am going too.
The reason I tell you about this - is if we did not think abundantly, what would we pass on to our kids? We expect to be Debt Free, we expect good things, we expect to work for our abundance and that is what we are teaching our children.
What are you teaching yours? Do you have the vehicle (Mary Kay) to be debt free, to make the choices that you want for your future?
So celebrate those every day successes and keep working your business.
I am LIVING THE DREAM and LIVING IT LARGE!!!
[Name Edited Out]
Walking the Walk, Talking the Talk and Driving Pink is all we can think~
——————————————————————————–
October 9, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Me
Colleen, this is an incredible thing and thank you so much for sending it in! I have edited out identifying info since we do not have her permission to post this here. I’m not sure if the Yahoo board was private or not–if so, she would have felt more protected there.
She has said, very well, what I have been trying to say for over a year. Work the business as it was designed and it works! And it works WELL.
October 9, 2007 at 3:51 pm
foreverpink
thats so wonderful to read and here! Thanks Colleen!
October 9, 2007 at 4:20 pm
foreverpink
oops I’m sorry, I meant hear not here… ( typing in a hurry will always mess you up :)..
October 9, 2007 at 6:08 pm
colleen
Thank you for doing the editing and I understand why you did it ME. By the way its not a private board and that is the only reason I posted it here. But thats ok Im glad you all got a chance to see it.
October 9, 2007 at 9:16 pm
shadesofpink
Colleen–that is a great article! So very true and inspiring.
Oh, and I LOVE Music, but I couldn’t tell ya the chart positions–now that’s impressive! LOL
October 10, 2007 at 1:48 pm
colleen
Shades if they had a Jeopardy of music I would WIN that is what others have told me.
October 14, 2007 at 7:26 am
Melissa
Hello I am new to mary kay and I have to say I find a lot of support and training on this website! This is great stuff! I feel like I am missing something from my unit. See we have meetings every tuesday night and geuss what! I am the only one that shows up most of the time. Of course my director is there. She says to make sure I come to the meetings that there is always something new but my problem is there is no team support and I work 40 hours a week and I don’t feel like I am getting much from just her? I hear of other mary kays unit meetings and there are 10-20 women there and it sounds like fun. I had a facial come into another units meeting because they were using the training center and you could just feel the energy in the room it almost felt magical and that is there meetings every week. I don’t want to leave my director she is a wonderful person. I am just asking everyone for advice on how to get this unit excited about mary kay again or how to bring new team members to a one women meeting and get them excited about joining and sticking with it because I believe this is a great company and I cann’t wait until I build my customers so that I can go part time at my crazy full time job. Thanks for listening
October 14, 2007 at 8:16 am
shadesofpink
Hi to Melissa! It sounds like either your director is a new director or a lot of the unit members are in another area. Of course, I’m speculating. There are times when it has been just me and my director at meetings. Our unit has started meeting with our senior unit again. This way, we have better attendance–2 units will generate more attendance than just one.
If your meetings have low attendance and you feel that potential team members will wonder why; my suggestion to you would be to try holding a career coffee at your home or even at a local cafe or restaurant. Invite 3-5 (or more!) ladies to hear more about what you do and ask your director to be there to help with the marketing plan presentation. Just an idea.
October 14, 2007 at 3:55 pm
mkrules
Melissa:
My director does MK Bingo to get meetings going and new unit members. We bring ladies that we have previously facialed to come to the Bingo. Everytime they bingo, they get something free! This gets a lot of the constultants excited too because everytime THEY bingo, they get section 2 stuff or CDs etc. This really jump starts a lot of meetings.
But Shades is right, doing meeting with other directors helps because at the one I go to, we have 3 directors and usually about 7-10 of us show up. I am guilty of not going at times because I too have a full time job and if I can book a party on meeting night, I do that instead. I can do it by brining my guests there for their makeovers, but there is no time for the individual consultations that are so important.
Anyway, tell your director about bingo……..it might get a big turn out!
October 14, 2007 at 4:39 pm
shadesofpink
Great idea mentioning bingo, MK Rules! Our units do bingo nights, too. It’s been awhile since we’ve had one actually…
It’s always so much fun!
October 14, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Melissa
Great ideas thank you so much:) I cann’t wait to mention this to my director. I hope no one minds me asking for advice but here it goes… I have been in MK for about 3 months and now I am having trouble meeting new people so that I can get some bookings or one on one. Does anyone have any ideas besides warm chattering that just hasn’t really worked for me.
Again thank you for your wonderful ideas!!!
Melissa
October 14, 2007 at 7:09 pm
shadesofpink
Melissa–if warm chatter isn’t your thing, you may want to try fishbowls (facial boxes). MK Rules has tons of success with those. You go to a business and ask if they would allow you to place a fishbowl in the establishment. When I have done it, I offer a “grand prize” which is a gift certificate to the establishment and a MK prize as well when the winner meets with me for a class. Everyone else who enters wins a free MK makeover.
I’m not big on warm chattering random strangers, but one thing I have gotten better at is if I encounter someone who is very nice and easy to talk to, I tell her what I do. If she gives me positive feedback, I tell her I don’t want to take up too much time, but I offer free makeovers and I’d love to offer her one and I ask for her phone number. Sometimes they book and sometimes they don’t–but that’s just the odds at work.
I don’t know if you work outside the home or not, but if you do, talk to co-workers. I talk to new hires where I work. Wear your pin as much as possible–you’ll be surprised at how many people will see that and open up to you. I have had people see my pin and tell me they used to have a consultant and need a new one.
October 14, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Me
A great icebreaker that I discovered accidentally is wearing your name badge (available from MK Connections on In Touch). I had been to a meeting and forgot I had it on, and went shopping. I got four bookings that day, and they all approached ME. Since then, I wear it as often as I can–obviously not at work, but whenever I am out just living my life and performing errands, etc., I have it on. You will be amazed at the people that will talk to you!
October 14, 2007 at 8:16 pm
shadesofpink
The name tag is a great idea, ME! I stopped at Walgreen’s one morning on my way to work. I was wearing my suit because I had my meeting afterward. The girl working at Walgreen’s thought I was their cosmetic person! I told her I was with MK and then I had a guest for that night’s meeting!
October 14, 2007 at 11:16 pm
mkrules
I absolutely hate to warm chatter! LOL I honestly just don’t do it…
I think if you don’t want to warm chatter there are several things you can do:
1. Fishbowls –They really have worked for me and I book from those bookings and keep meeting new people.
2. Booths –Just did one at a Craft Fair and got about 20 leads…already booked 2 of them!
3. Have a goal, like 30 faces in 30 days to ask people you have already asked if you can practice on them. They usually are happy to help for a free lipstick or what not and you can offer them more to have friends with them…this turns it into a class.
I hope this helps you!
October 15, 2007 at 5:35 am
Melissa
Thank you so much for the advice this place is awesome. Just wondering shadesofpink and Me are you guys directors or consultants? Have you been in the business long? Have a great day and again thank you for the great advice
I love this site.
October 15, 2007 at 8:17 am
shadesofpink
Melissa–I started my business in 2003. I am currently a consultant. I have been a senior consultant multiple times. My goal is directorship. I want to submit DIQ in December.
October 15, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Melissa
WAY TO GO !!! SHADESOFPINK!!! That is an awesome goal. I hope your able to submit DIQ in December.
How close are you to DIQ? Mkrules how long have you been in the business? Are you a director or a consultant?
October 16, 2007 at 8:17 am
shadesofpink
I’m not close to DIQ at all right now–I have no active team members, but I know that with a little momentum, I can get there.
October 17, 2007 at 5:17 am
Melissa
That You Can
October 18, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Denise
Hi ladies! I am very new to MK (3 days). I was reading your comments and greatly appreciate them.
I just wanted to say that. I am sure I will be back with questions as the days go by. Right now I don’t know much of anything other than I have used the products for a long time…….
October 18, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Me
Denise, welcome to my blog. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have, but I encourage you to get training from your director and your recruiter. You will feel so much more a part of a team in that way.
If you are a loyal Mary Kay product user, you will be a GREAT consultant!
November 5, 2007 at 6:52 pm
colleen
I dont know if this is true but a friend of mine who came back from her Nationals retreat said that the “fragrance wands” are selling it. I have no reason to doubt her they look great.
November 5, 2007 at 11:43 pm
shadesofpink
I’m telling anyone who has talked to me about Bella about the wands. I think they are a great idea. It’s a great product at a great price if they’re unsure of the fragrance. Then, when they love it, the will want to buy the full size because the wands are limited. Works for me!
November 6, 2007 at 5:14 pm
pynkmyst
I am excited about the Fragrance Wands, I think they are going to be GREAT for holiday gift giving, the price point is perfect! You could add some gloves and wrap with a super cute ribbon or a cute bracelet or put them in a cute Christmas stocking. I think they are great and I love love the price point!!!
November 6, 2007 at 7:57 pm
colleen
I had a misprint in my post I meant to say that she said that the fragrance wands are selling out..not it.
November 9, 2007 at 12:19 pm
faithfully
Hi Ladies,
Thank GOD I found you! I’m seriously considering the MK opportunity again. I stumbled across another website filled with a bunch of women who are mad as heck about MK!
My history…. I signed up as a personal use consultant in Jan 2001. In six months, I went from personal use to a Red Jacket and about $3000 a month in retial orders. I dropped to part time status on my job b/c I was so busy with MK. In Sept. I moved from ATL to Cincy to take care of my dying mother. I couldn’t find anybody in this city excited about MK. No Directors, no consultants, no customers, no meetings. As a result, I moved on to other things but always with the intention of coming back to MK someday. Well, i’m thinking the time has come. Here I am 6 years later and I still can’t find anybody with 25 miles of me that’s excited about MK.
My mind is running wild. My only child left home in August for college. I’m married and I work 2 jobs. I’m looking for an opportunity that’s going to give me everything i’m missing in life right now and I think MK might be it.
But before I sign my name on the dotted line again…can you all share some insider info with me? Is there anywhere I can find a list of meetings in my area? I know I could call some Directors…but I don’t want to get bombarded with a bunch of pushy sells people. What does it take to go into DIQ? (it’s been 6 years) and how much is it to reactivate my membership? I think they deactivated me about 2 years ago
November 9, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Me
Hello and welcome!
I encourage you to call 1-800-MARYKAY and speak to someone there. While we can give you information here, I find it to be much more beneficial when you can have an actual conversation with someone, rather than depending on written responses from strangers. Corporate can give you the names of several directors in your area to whom you can speak and get a feel for which one would be the best for YOU personally. There is never an obligation and if you initiate the phone call, you are in control! Once you have found someone you connect with, you can get ALL the information you need to make a decision.
Are you still in contact with your original recruiter and/or director? I know you are in a different geographical area, but if you still have a relationship with either of them, that would be where I would start.
Feel free to post again and of course, if we can help you, we will be happy to. But at this point in your journey, I believe you need face-to-face or phone-to-phone contact first.
Best of luck to you!
November 9, 2007 at 1:29 pm
faithfully
Thanks Me.
When I came to Cincy back in 2001 I took your advice. My Director had an extremely hard time finding a meeting in my area. After a while, we did find one. I attended a couple of times and decided not to go any more. I found it to be very depressing. Unlike what I was use to in ATL.
My Recruiter and I kept each other motivated when I lived in ATL. We attended an awesome meeting every week b/c our Director lived in another state. The only time i’d hear from my Director was at the end of month when sales were short. My recruiter isn’t very involved in MK any more.
November 9, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Me
Forgive me for possibly a stupid question—is Cincy short for Cincinnati?
November 10, 2007 at 9:33 pm
mkhonesty
Hello Faithfully,
I’m the husband of a Cadillac-driving Sr Director. Have you looked in your local phone book under Cosmetics - Retail? Look for director(s) who are listed under the “MARY KAY INDEPENDENT SALES DIRECTOR” heading (usually in bold and all capitals). Don’t “de-select” directors who appear to live too far from you. You need to know when & where their meeting is held, not where they live. My wife used to drive 50 miles one-way to her adopted director’s meetings, because there wasn’t anyone closer. You may also see other people listed as Mary Kay directors but not under the heading. If so, I would not approach them: they are already violating the directory advertising requirements of Legal-Ease, so who knows what else their sloppy sense of ethics will let them do.
You can come back in as a “2nd Chance” consultant for only $20 plus tax & shipping, but I would recommend against that because so much has changed, and the $20 kit only gets you a bag and a bunch of paperwork. If you are serious about working your business, then pay for the $100 Starter Kit and get the free product (including foundations), new training matl’s, new flipchart, etc.
You are not required to re-sign with your original recruiter or even you original director. You are also not required to sign with the first director or consultant that you meet, although you will be asked to do so. You can go to different directors’ meetings as a guest, but don’t go back to the same meeting unless you intend to recruit into that director’s unit. Some director’s hold meetings together, so that will confuse things. (My wife disapproves of that. Mary Kay Ash once said, “There cannot be two captains of one ship.”) Another excellent way to find our about directors in your area is to ask if there is a monthly career breakfast or some other type of event hosted by multiple directors in Cincy. You haven’t been selling MK for some years. Waiting a couple of weeks or even a month to find someone that you’re comfortable with is not going to hurt anything.
What kind of director should you look for? This question would probably take 3 pages to answers the pro’s and con’s.
All I can say is that if you truly wish to become a director yourself, you will have to learn to work with all types of people, from the off-the-wall High-I’s to the steady-eddy Miss Organized. (Just like every customer is different). One thing will be common for every director: she is expecting you to work as hard as you tell her that you’re going to. She’s not going to lead you around by the hand like a 2nd grader. She is going to expect you to read the materials and listen to the CD’s in the Starter Kit within a week of UPS dropping it on your porch. If you don’t, and you sit there like a baby robin with your mouth open waiting for customers to drop money in your mouth, she will quickly move on to other people who do what they say they’re going to do. In short, under-commit and over-perform, not the other way around. It may sound harsh, but it’s reality. I don’t know a single director who thinks that it’s her job to hold her consultants’ hands. Train, yes. Go to two, three or even five skin care classes, yes. Hold weekly sales meetings, yes. Read the consultant’s guide or Learn MK (training material on InTouch) to you, no.
DIQ requirements are 8 active personal team members. My wife thinks that this should go back to the old 12 active personal team members or even being a car driver before submitting a DIQ card. Why, because she has seen too many consultants get to 8 active, submit and then fall out of DIQ, which is very disheartening to the DIQ, especially if there are personal team members’ recruits who then fall back into the parent unit. Is there ever a perfect time to start DIQ? No, just when you do, floor it. Use the DIQ period (4 months, but really really try to complete it in 3 months) just like the acceleration lane of a freeway onramp. You don’t want to be the person sitting at the end of the ramp trying to go from 0 to 75 in 40 feet.
Inventory should be a non-issue for you. You were moving $3000 retail a month! You know what you sold. I can’t remember when the Earned Discount Privilege (EDP) was started, but in case you’ve never heard of this, here goes: If a consultant is active ($200 whls within the current and two previous calendar months), then that consultant may place any size order and received the 50% wholesale discount on that order. The consultant may place an EDP order as often as she likes. The only “gotcha” is that the shipping charge stays the same, $8.75, no matter what size order. So placing an EDP order for a couple of eye shadows or a single lipstick is a money loser. Yes, there is a color cosmetic change coming up. If your new director professes ignorance, everything in on InTouch. (I’ll be blunt: if your new director doesn’t know what’s happening, I’d consider returning my cases and finding another director.) Is the color-change a reason to wait before restarting MK? No. The lipstick change is primarily packaging. The other changes will start in March 2008. Per the info at Seminar, the new-shape eye shadows and cheek colors starting in March ‘08 will only be 6 basic eyes and 2 basic cheeks, with the other colors phasing in later. Lots of time to move product. Ask for a copy of pages 7 and 27 of the December 07 Applause. My wife’s early copy came in today’s mail, so every other director has one too.
One more thing before I get off my soapbox: delete the word “membership” from your vocabulary. MK is not Costco or Sam’s Club. A few years ago, One of my wife’s unit members (out-of-town, not a personal recruit) recruited her older sister on her own. The sister returned her starter kit when my wife explained to her about the $200 minimum order size to receive the 50% discount. I don’t know whether it was the younger sister’s mistake in explaining how MK works or selective hearing on the part of the older sister, but the older sister was livid. As a personal use consultant who went to selling $3000 a month, you are in a very very small minority. In my experience, most P.U. consultants order once every 6-9 months, or order once and never again. Recruiting P.U. consultants and trying to build a reliable, consistently selling team (and then unit ) with them is an exercise in futility.
November 10, 2007 at 9:45 pm
mkhonesty
Did anyone see 20/20 last night, with the short interview with the woman behind Spanx? Talk about a “never give up” attitude!! Before she started Spanx, she was selling Danka office copiers by cold-visiting offices for seven years. She said that she had been escorted from office buildings by security and even had business cards ripped up in her face. And some people think selling MK is tough??
November 10, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Angie
Excellent MK Honesty, Loved your advice. Precise, to the point and much needed for our business.
No I missed 20/20. sounds like she had super Persistance.
Good luck Faithfully
p.s I’m msmkpink. Btw, trying to do a blog, so when logged in this is my handle, I guess.
November 12, 2007 at 6:14 am
shadesofpink
Hey Angie/msmkpink: if you want to have your screen name appear as msmkpink, you can change that clicking on “Update your Profile or Password” and then scrolling down to “Nickname.” Change the nickname and then there is a little dropdown that says “Display name publicly as:” and choose your public screen name. This is found on the same page where you can upload a profile picture.
December 13, 2007 at 10:13 pm
mkhonesty
My wife had an interview with a prospective team member and her husband a few days ago. What made this interview different was that the husband had searched the internet for Mary Kay and had visited the Pink Truth website. The other interesting thing about this interview was that the prospect had had a bad experience as an Arbonne representative. I don’t know the specifics of that experience, but the prospect was very concerned/interested in the MK commission structure and how a person advanced. So my wife had me print the Advance brochure off of InTouch before the interview.
At the interview, my wife answered all of their questions. Then the husband brought up PT, AND MY WIFE DROVE A STAKE THROUGH THAT VAMPIRE!
How? Easy. My wife simply pointed out that the only person who you really know is real on PT is Tracy. She pointed out that everyone else over there is anonymous, even the ones who say that they have returned product after being in MK for years. She continued by asking a rhetorical question, “If they have already gotten out of MK, then why are they remaining anonymous? Are they afraid that the pink helicopters are going to come over the horizon?” She also pointed out that the reason that all a person reads on PT is negative statements is because they delete any that do not conform, and then Tracy blocks the sender’s ISP so that she cannot post any more non-conforming comments. It’s a classic web-smear site.
The husband asked whether having inventory on the shelf is a requirement. My wife answered “no”, but discussed that not having inventory will cause some people to go elsewhere. (The husband is an assistant retail store manager, and fully understood that statement.) My wife gave them the copy of Advance and the agreement.
The prospect signed her agreement and paid for her starter kit the next day.
The moral is that when the question of PT is properly addressed, it becomes irrevelant.
December 13, 2007 at 10:56 pm
MK4ME
mkhonesty.. you made a point that we all know to be true..
“when the question of PT is properly addressed, it becomes irrevelant.”
Very true, but I know what does upset me is often if a person reads PT, often they never get a chance to have the PT issue properly addressed.
For me that is the biggest reason I support, ME’s site, Duh, and David’s site. I like to see the scales balanced.
March 6, 2008 at 11:47 am
LookingforAnswers
I’ve come across your site in my search for positive MK blogs. Of course I found PT about a year ago and was pretty stunned both for the good and the bad.
What I’d like to say here is that having been in MK for nearly 20 years and having been a Director, I think I’ve finally got it figured out.
Inventory - No, I don’t think a new consultant should be purchasing inventory before she holds some classes. Her first classes are going to be family and friends and they won’t mind waiting for their orders.
Besides, there’s a thing called Just In Time (JIT) ordering. JIT is a process that manufacturers use that are mega-manufacturers; the big companies. They do not carry inventory; they order it just in time.
With shipping times much more improved over 20 years ago, it takes sometimes only 3 days for an order to come in.
Perfect Start - If you have signed up to be a working consultant then I believe in doing the Perfect Start. When you do it once, then it pretty much keeps repeating itself over and over again.
Software - Absolutely, positively a saving grace for any business these days. It saves you time and money in the long run. Being able to do a report that shows you what products you’ve sold in the last year, will tell you exactly which products to stock and of how many. I’m using my second business software and it’s amazing…the first one…not so much. Do your research - is there 24/7 technical support? Has this program been created by a Director’s spouse? What happen’s when that Director retires and her spouse? Or is it an independent company?
Recognition - Only go for the recognition and prizes if it’s within a reasonable reach for you. Stop placing an extra order just to get the prize.
Recruiting - tell the truth, the whole truth and just the truth….the good, the bad and the ugly. No company is perfect. Your team member will be grateful for your honesty.
Work with your recruits - Anne Newbury routinely taught, that if your new recruit came in with a big inventory order, it’s your responsibility as the recruiter to help her sell half of it. If you don’t, you’re not doing your job as a recruiter.
Business skills - learn all you can about being in business for yourself. Basic accounting is a must. Someone above said, “maximize your profits, minimize your expenses”. This is so true.
Just my two cents.
March 6, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Shades of Pink
I have to agree 100% with LookingforAnswers.
I really like Anne Newbury’s teaching to help a new recruit sell half the inventory. So true. To add to that, I really think the recruiter should conduct a new team member’s first appointment for her–no matter what the size of her initial inventory. I’ve hears some NSD’s teach to only offer that service to consultants who come in as Stars. BAD suggestion, IMO. Any amount of inventory placed on credit (or even bought outright with cash) is stressful. The consultant is brand new–has possibly never sold anything in her life–and needs HELP. Period. Sorry, I feel strongly about that. I believe Dacia was teaching this tactic. Yuck.
March 6, 2008 at 6:57 pm
LookingforAnswers
You’re so right Shades of Pink, any amount of inventory is stressful. And like you said they’ve likely never sold anything. I am so with you on feeling strongly on this.
I’m in Canada and I still come across many consultants who don’t have a clue about submitting the GST/PST rebate to MKC to claim the retail taxes back on product that they have sold at a discount or used for demo’s or personal use.
It’s not taught at the weekly sales meetings. For some peole like me, who give my hostesses a fair bit of credit, prizes at craft fairs, donations to charity, etc. it adds up every quarter and every year to the tune of $200 to $300. That’s a good chunk of change. Now of course I use a great software package that just spits it out every quarter for me, as long as I’ve inputed the information all along.
I can’t even begin to imagine only helping your stars - every one should be treated and trained equally.
I have heard only work with the ones who are working….that’s what I was taught as a Director by my Director. It does make some sense, but for all the ones who weren’t working in my unit I would still call them regularly or email them and offer to help them.
MKHonesty, I agree with your wife’s belief that the requirement should be raised again to 12 instead of 8…it’s just not stable enough. In fact when I was going up through DIQ I was told to do 26 personals to make it stable. I didn’t quite do that and it was like a house of cards within months.
Faithfully, I’m glad you’re thinking of coming back. Yes the other site is awfully negative but there are a few gems in there as well. It sounds like you did fantastic previously. Finding the right Director is SO important. Really check the area. If you really want any info on anyone in your area, I’m sure the negative people on the other site, will be happy to give their opinions.
I would caution you though on a large inventory. As I mentioned above, why not decide on your inventory order until after you’ve gotten your feet wet again in a few classes.
March 16th marks the launch of some of the new products as MKHonesty pointed out, however the balance of the colours in the product line are going to be launched in June (at least in Canada that’s how it’s happening).
Just my two cents.
March 6, 2008 at 11:00 pm
MK4ME
Shades, I agree with you 110%, I don’t believe how much help a new consultant gets should depend on the size of the inventory order she starts with. I have heard of directors who will only do a debut or the first class if the consultant is a star consultant. I strongly disagree with this philosophy. I feel every new consultant should be treated equally. Period.
I do think it is also a great idea for the recruiter to work with her new team member if she is knowledgable enough to because it really starts building a bond, and helps the senior to gain confidence in helping her team. Because sometime as a director if there are alot of new consultants, it is hard to always be there for everyone.
April 28, 2008 at 7:28 am
Pyvsi
Another AMEN for looking.for.answers.
I’m a former distributor for another company, got out, looked around to kind of compare companies and check out consumers’ and distributors’ experiences and whatnot.
I’ve seen people hurt by unwise and possibly unethical pracices in MK , and I’ve seen another good friend of the family who has been with MK for at least 20 years and shows no sign of stopping.
Surfing the Pro and Con sites about MK and other direct sales-type companies have helped me see where I was mistaken in my previous attempts at business for myself.
I had no clue about the skill-sets needed for this business model (people skills, basic time management, basic accounting etc)and kept thinking, “Wow, so and so in the magazine got 20 Preferred Customers in their first month! What’s wrong with me?”
So anyway, enoug