Anyone Else Have These Issues ??

[chefjeanine]

Kathy,

A supportive spouse is very important.

A consultant (Now on the way to Advanced Director) I know, has spent two years with a non-supportive spouse. She has only been with the business for two years and has made remarkable strides. She continues by letting her husband know this business is important to her.

A supportive spouse is a blessing but an unsupportive spouse is not an insurmountable obstacle.

I too know an Advanced Director with a husband who is not supportive. She's been in the business for longer than I have (6+ years) and has great sales and earns incentive trips. She loves her business. She was able to put her children through private school and now college. She's not quitting the business and he's still not supportive.

I don’t think this will work for you, Kathy, because if memory serves me right your part-time job hours are not the same each week. For those who worry about spending time with your family, have a certain night (or nights) each week that you are willing to work. Everyone (spouse and children) will know that these are the nights you’ll be gone and they will be able to plan accordingly. Your Hosts will work around your available dates (mine have for six years) and everyone will feel more stable with a schedule.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Wow, how great to read everyone else has many of the same concerns/problems I do (That's why I love this site)!!

My husband is not always supportive either. I thought he was at first and then if he gets angry about something he will mention my PC business taking up too much time! I took a lot of time off in May/June to get things organized around the house - mainly cleaning the garage, and he has been much better since! I do feel like he's going to get frustrated again though because I have been spending a TON of time on it now. The change over season is always so hard! I had to stamp everything, make my host kits, re-organize, etc. I don't have an office to set everything up so it is really hard!

My husband is starting to get excited about my schedule though. I have 5 Sept. and 6 Oct. shows booked and a lot more "maybes" to call! I'm just hoping I don't get cancellations! We really need the money since my PT job is really slow right now. We are going on vacation in late November as well so I've tried to tell the entire family I'm working my business hard so we can have some spending money for vacation. That has really helped get them behind me. I just hope I have a great commission check to show them all when fall is over!

The ups and downs in this business are the hardest part for me, as it sounds like it is for the rest of you. I do feel God is leading me this way though since I was ready to quit back in the spring and now have more zeal for my business then ever. I was very lucky to get a good lead from my old director who quit. All of my shows are from that one July show. I was so close to going inactive. I feel so blessed. I just have to start shutting down the PC business when my husband is home - but that is easier said then done. Sometimes I swear I don't know why he cares. He usually just falls asleep on the couch at night anyway! He gets up at 4:30 a.m. I keep telling myself I should start getting up w/him to do my work, but then I always seem to stay up too late!

Sorry for venting! But thanks to everyone else for telling about their trials and tribulations!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I am also fortunate to have a very supportive DH. When I was considering quitting earlier this year, he told me that no way was I quitting. He told me it was obvious that I overall really enjoyed it & wouldn't let current life situations get in the way.

However, I do know quite a few people who have unsupportive spouses with PC. I think part of the problem is that it's a work from home business, so I don't know if many spouses consider it to be "work". Also, when starting this kind of business, you are going to be spending some money before earning any--this is true with any business where you are the owner.

But I would suggest to anyone who is considering quitting--try it for 5 years. I'm starting my 3rd year & am finally getting bookings without asking, feeling like I'm not spending every paycheck on more supplies, etc. I also now have a great customer base. I am having a customer appreciation event next month & was able to mail out 105 invitations to my best customers & all past hosts. Then I sent out an additional around 75-100 email invites to other customers. Last year, I maybe sent out 75 invites TOTAL--so I can tell that my business is doing much better this year. I'm out of my circle & that makes a big difference too. So, try it for a few years to make sure if it really is something you don't want to do--or that time will give you a chance to work your way up to making more money!

 

[Kathytnt]

OK Before we harass my hubby to much - He is married to a woman that is an organizational nightmare and her mood is up and down depending on how business is going. She is overly sensitive which gives her difficulty calling to book new shows, handling 'interesting' host and guests. She is also learning how to handle recruits that don't do their minimum to fulfill thier obligation to Pampered Chef. Honestly his goal is for her to be happy and sometimes PC doesn't seem to make her happy because just like anything else it's not perfect because human beings are not perfect (although some could try a little harder LOL!)

Ouch - I am not perfect Who would have thunk it

 

[Teresa Lynn]

Kathy,
none of us are perfect. You can't let the no's or maybe's get you down, it isn't a no to you or your personality some people just aren't interested.

Years ago at conference they said:
some will. some won't,
who cares, who's next?
It is not a reflection on you if recruits don't do their obligation.
Move on and move up!!

 

[pampchefrhondab]

OK Before we harass my hubby to much - He is married to a woman that is an organizational nightmare and her mood is up and down depending on how business is going. She is overly sensitive which gives her difficulty calling to book new shows, handling 'interesting' host and guests. She is also learning how to handle recruits that don't do their minimum to fulfill thier obligation to Pampered Chef. Honestly his goal is for her to be happy and sometimes PC doesn't seem to make her happy because just like anything else it's not perfect because human beings are not perfect (although some could try a little harder LOL!)

Ouch - I am not perfect Who would have thunk it

You are so funny Kathy! I am the same way. I am a perfectionist so I sometimes spend too much time on things! It's one of the reasons I haven't been a recruiter. I use to think there is no way anyone I would recruit would spend as much time on their business as I do. I've had an enlightening moment by listening to recruiting tapes, and I now have a recruit getting ready to sign in Sept!!

Unfortunately my husband's mother was a SAHM and always had their house perfectly clean. They also had a lot more room then we do (a large basement). So keeping the house organized was a lot easier for her. He just thinks I should be super women. Of course this isn't every day, just when he has had a rough day at work.

He also has many days he supports me. I just worked a fair booth. I was on my way to the booth when he was coming home from work one evening. He saw me on the road and called my cell phone. I didn't hear it so he left me a msg. thanking me for working so hard for our family. He also came when the fair was over to help me pack up my stuff. !

So I'm with you, he shouldn't get a bad rap either.

Good luck with your business!

 

[Kathytnt]

Well it's official - I signed up to get the discount and maybe do a little business with the other company but am still primarily PC

Now to get more of these pops - I only have a few left . They say to do 3 a day but one a day is working for me so far

http://www.power-pops.com/hoodiapop

 

[PCSarahjm]

Ok let me tell you about my situation.....When I started PC 4 months ago I had just been served Papers from the US Government saying they wanted their money($112,000). How in the hell was I going to come up with that much money... Long story short I needed a good lawyer b/c my ex husband didn't pay the debt in our divorce. Which I was still liable for b/c my name was on it. I get a lawyer and get out of the whole deal for a mear $2000 which I have almost made due to my new PC business. I couldn't ask my new husband for the money to pay for the lawyer or take the money out of our savings, so I signed up for PC. My new husband wasn't completely supportive of the idea of me becoming a PC consultant...He didn't think I would beable to sell enough products to be worth while. But now he sees me spending the extra money on things I want...and the awesome new products I have earned. It also gives me a little extra time for "me". He does complain occasionally about me being gone in the evenings. That is more of a convience thing for him he had to find something for supper and there was noone home to talk to. Usually our son is with my mom on PC show nights.
So this is what I did to convince him it is worth my time....I showed him what I make a month and how much money/time I put into it. He was amazed ! So hopefully in time this extra money will be used for vacations and part of a house payment.

You just have to prove to your husband that PC is truly a money maker and how it is a money maker.

I also told my husband to look at the money we are saving on products since I am a PC consultant!!!!

Hope this helps!

 

[JAE]

LOL!! Wait til FED EX comes with my kit and my live in boyfriend has no idea its coming because I got the eye roll when I wanted to do it LAST summer.

I still havent told him, was going to tell him this weekend on vacation but it just never came up. he call me his little PC girl but lordy, he has NO idea....Im right next to you but in a slightly different boat!

I need something. Im a single mom. I've been with John now for almost 4 years. My son and I have lived with him for over 2 and everything awesome. I just need a PT gig and I dont have the option for someone to tell me when I can work. I need to tell them and its my adult time with the "girls" while making money. See? I can tell YOU but Icant tell him b/c Im so darn insecure......I tried Avon last year (NOV) and quit it when I signed with PC. Avon was TONS of work for menial profits, and I couldnt do it anymore...

Should be interesting....I think we owe ourselves do something that makes us happy and helps out our home life in more than one way. When it takes a way from a happy home, something has to be reconfigured. Im hoping to one or 2 cooking shows a month and however many catalog shows I can physically handle! LOL....

Tell me when you have the answer, ma'am!

D

Just wondering what happened when your box showed up. Has your box showed up, yet?

 

[Chocolatejunkie]

Kathy,
It sounds like even though your hubby isn't supporting you in your PC business he is supporting you in a much better way. He wants you to be happy, that counts for so much.
Maybe you need to honestly step back and decide if Pampered Chef is something you actually want to do. It sounds like it has turned more into a nightmare for you, then anything else. I'm not saying that you should quit (unlesss after careful consideration that is what you decide would be best for you) but I am saying that you should honestly evaluate your situation and decide what needs to change and how you can run your business differently so you are A making money and B not being stressed out all the time. Also make it a goal to have a weekly date with just you and your husband-if you're not already doing it.
A few questions to ask yourself. Am I in PC for the money or for the fun? Is the stress that I am experiencing worth it? What would be the consequences of taking a break for a month or two? How can I run my business differently so I can be happy?
Ask your husbands what his concerns are in regards to your business. Honestly listen to him and see if they have merit or not. Also explain your point of view to him and why you want to do PC.
In regards to donating to the cancer cause. Rather then doing fundraisers why don't you take 1% of your earnings (after subtracting all PC expenses) and put it in a special savings account. At the end of the year donate that amount to the charity or cause of your choice. This way you hopefully won't overload yourself. Also make sure that you take time just for yourself each day choose a hobby you love and do it or just go for a walk or just do something entirely wasteful (And no saying PC is my hobby, that doesn't count)
Whatever you decide, good luck with everything. I hope things work out well for you.