Becoming friends with No

Hi All!

First if you're reading this, thank you for your support! :-)

I unpacked the boxes of the supplies that Silpada sent me. They have everything lined up and organized. A little overwhelming all at once....but you know what? I don't have to read it all at once! They have a notebook of ideas on how to get started, goal setting (something I need desperately to learn ...again). Forms to help organize your customer/hostess information. Tricks of the trade from other reps. The best thing, I think, though is that I am free to run my business as I like - these are basically suggestions that have worked for other people.

One thing I read that will help me in my life outside of Silpada as well is, to remember when you're talking to people about being a hostess, or becoming a rep, it's just your job to let them know the opportunity is available. You're not responsible for the "Yes", or "No".

As my friends and family know, "No" and I do not get along - at least when it's being said to me. I have no trouble saying it to other people :-). Just get the info out there, whether it's about Silpada, or family business, or "day job". That makes hearing an occasional "No" not personal, and a lot easier to take. Of course, clarifying that "No" may really mean just "not now" helps as well.

And when I get scared, know what I do? Layer on the silver baby! Then I feel like a Queen, and they are never scared, right? right? Right.

I sent out my first hostess packages this weekend. It's starting to feel like a real business.

Wish me luck! Oh wait, you already have - thanks!

Christmas in August

I got home from work the other day and there were two big boxes waiting for me on the diningroom table. My husband Kevin was a little disappointed because he thought at least one was for him (he was looking for paint for his current motorcycle painting project).

But no, they were both for me! One held my starter kit, and the other a tower of catalogs! I haven't had a chance to look at everything, sort through it all, but it was so exciting. Really started to feel real, you know? I had to reassure Kevin that the heavy box was not all jewelry...

Yesterday, another package....a package containing lovely little boxes full of beautiful things: the earrings that remind me of a screen from India with the ornate carvings, the garnet bracelets deep blood red, the adorable toe rings, the splurge of the multistrand beaded bracelet with swirly silver piece on it.

I have an extensive collection of jewelry, but this morning it was the hardest thing trying to decide what to wear! I settled on the multistone earrings (sodalite, etc.) and necklace, and one of the toe rings. According to http://crystal-cure.com/sodalite.html, sodalite helps bring inner peace, and maybe help me lose a few pounds.

It's just getting better and better.......

Tales of a Jewelryholic

Jewelry is my addiction, and silver is my drug of choice.

So in the attempt to find something that would help me financially and feed that need, I stumbled upon Silpada! (http://www.silpada.com) Not wanting to be too impulsive :-) I first heard of Silpada years ago from a friend, and I guess it was always just humming in the back of my mind. The fact that I have no direct sales experience, and that my expertise runs more in software support....well that shouldn't matter, right?

This first week has been a whirlwind: meeting new people, finding out how great and supportive my friends and family are, setting up my new business....and of course, there is the jewelry.

My sponsor Amy has been enthusiastic and supportive, and is a great coach! She really helps me to believe I can make of this whatever I decide to....and there's the rub.

I discussed this adventure with my friend Nancy, who gives great advice and has experience in direct sales and all that it requires to be successful. She said of course I would be a success at this, "it just depends on how much you are willing to apply yourself."

Well.....we will just have to wait and see!