Consultant Tip: Stay out of Debt!

This is something we don't talk about much in the industry, but it's such an important lesson that it MUST be shared.

STAY OUT OF DEBT. DO NOT CHARGE YOUR CARDS WITH PRODUCTS SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU WANT THEM OR NEED TO MAKE A QUOTA.

About 13 years ago, hubby and I joined a health & nutrition/weight loss company. We bought products and I was a retail machine - I had lost 62 lbs. and therefore everyone wanted to do what I was doing. But it was a financial nightmare for us. We stockpiled inventory and helped ourselves to whatever we wanted, charging huge sums on the card but retailing it off we were able to pay back a couple thousand dollars each month. After all, we were doing what our upline said and we were going to be RICH. Right.

After 3 years, it was unsustainable. The payments on the cards (notice there are now multiple ones) were going to take 398 years to pay back at the minimum. So we tucked our tails between our legs, gave up the business, and filed for bankruptcy protection. Ouch.

Obviously, I loved direct sales, as I started back into it a few years later with Southern Living at HOME (now Willow House). My biggest rule of thumb is I never charge any products I want - no matter how much I want them. I'm very proud to tell prospective consultants that I earned back the $199 I spent on my kit at my own launch show, and was turning a profit by the end of my first month. Sure, I add things on to orders for myself, but when I deposit funds to my SPECIFIED Willow House bank account, I know exactly how much is mine to spend. There is never any question as to whether I could "afford" to purchase a certain piece. I hostess once or twice a year myself to earn the Host Rewards and get it for free or at big discounts.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - if you are in Direct Sales, NEVER spend more than you're making. Sure, the discount is nice, and you earned that money, but go back to the reason you decided to get into the business before you make your own life harder. If it was for products at a discount, spend up to the amount you earned (and have that seperate bank account so you know for sure!). If it was for an extra $500 per month to pay DOWN your current debt, then spending everything you make on more product will only upset your husband and make you feel like a failure. Whatever your reasons - YOU know them. Hold yourself accountable.

As for me - I don't own every product Willow House makes. My kit came with plenty to show at parties so there is a nice sampling, and the Enhancement Kits we can get each year allow us to have some of the newer products. While I did purchase the Holiday Enhancement Kit, there wasn't enough in the special bank account to also get the Fall one, so I added a couple of pieces to a Hostesses order (retail points count too!) and I'm fine with that.

Go forth with your dreams & goals in mind, and PUT YOUR CARD AWAY. If you don't understand this, may I suggest checking out Dave Ramsey...

Love,
Crystal