Back in the Saddle: My First Show in 2 Months and It Was a Hit!

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around a participant's experience returning to hosting Pampered Chef shows after a two-month hiatus. The discussion highlights the enjoyment of the event, interactions with guests, and the personal connections made during the show.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared their excitement about hosting their first show in two months, noting $400 in sales and two bookings.
  • Another participant expressed that having fun is crucial for a successful show, suggesting that enjoyment leads to sales and bookings.
  • Several users mentioned the personal connections made during shows, with one participant highlighting the friendships formed with guests and hosts.
  • One participant noted the interesting coincidences of shared backgrounds among guests, enhancing the experience of the show.
  • Another participant shared their experience of feeling like their first show again after a break, indicating a common sentiment among consultants.
  • One participant reflected on the interconnectedness of the community, suggesting that many consultants may have overlapping customers or connections.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the significance of personal connections versus sales outcomes, with some participants emphasizing the importance of enjoyment and relationships, while others focus on the sales aspect. No clear consensus emerges on which is more important.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and sentiments related to hosting Pampered Chef shows, with an emphasis on community and connection rather than formal business practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking to share experiences and connect with others in the community may find this thread relatable and engaging.

janetupnorth
janetupnorth
Gold Member
Messages
14,814
Well guys, I just came home from doing my first show in almost 2 months! I got done with my 90 days then life took over and all my May shows cancelled or postponed due to busy lives!

Tonight was fun...12-13 ladies (I lost count)...$400 in sales...2 bookings...not too bad...

We made the quick and easy salsa and a peanut butter cup trifle (brownies, fudge pudding with peanut butter melted and stirred in, cool whip and peanut butter cup chunks on top). Everyone LOVED the recipes. I had free postcards from vistaprint with the salsa recipe on them and they LOVED taking it home. One lady headed home to make herself a batch of salsa (she was headed to the grocery store to get cilantro first but I gave her some instead to save her the trip - too funny!).

For fun, when they filled out door prize slips I said I'd give an extra prize to whoever guessed the closest to how long I've been selling PC...get this...the guesses were: 5 years, 5 years, 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years, 6 months (from a lady who know me - cheater - he-he). I thought that was quite the compliment!!!! Yeah! I get excited when people have fun at shows more so than the sales/bookings - am I wierd or what?! ...just had to share...

Hope all are having a good night!
 
Great job Janet! Sounds like you are an "old" pro! (Or at least they thought you were! - that's what counts!)
I always feel like if everyone is having fun, than the sales and bookings will follow! FUN is the most important factor of a good show!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
ChefBeckyD said:
Great job Janet! Sounds like you are an "old" pro! (Or at least they thought you were! - that's what counts!)
Click to expand...

Thanks Becky! :) It helps to own the stuff for well over a decade, you can then talk with the best of guests about all the products past and present.

It was also a neat show personally...most of the guests went to an area church so we had a lot in common although I just met them. The host I found out had just moved here in August from Virginia and had attended Wheaton for college (my mom used to live and work in Wheaton and got married at Wheaton Bible), etc., etc. We had fun chatting afterwards.
 
janetupnorth said:
... had attended Wheaton for college (my mom used to live and work in Wheaton and got married at Wheaton Bible), etc., etc. We had fun chatting afterwards.
Click to expand...
Congrats on the great show! Great job getting back in the saddle.

I grew up in Wheaton and my parents and in-laws still live there. I'm about 20 minutes away from Wheaton now.:)
 
janetupnorth said:
Thanks Becky! :) It helps to own the stuff for well over a decade, you can then talk with the best of guests about all the products past and present.

It was also a neat show personally...most of the guests went to an area church so we had a lot in common although I just met them. The host I found out had just moved here in August from Virginia and had attended Wheaton for college (my mom used to live and work in Wheaton and got married at Wheaton Bible), etc., etc. We had fun chatting afterwards.
Click to expand...
It's the chatting after the show that makes my shows so long......it seems like my hosts/frequent guest become good friends! I just had a show w/ some of my "Groupies", but there were several guests there I didn't know......the show started at around 7:20, I was done by 8:00, but didn't leave there until 9:45.....one lady I had never met was chatting with me as we did her order, and in the process found out that her DS & DIL go to my church, and also some friends of hers! Small world! Then several of the women there wanted to have me come do a show for them @ their annual Beach Getaway Weekend....and then just ended up inviting me to come hang out with them for the whole weekend! What fun! What I love is that enexpected perk of my job - meeting new people and making some great friendships!
 
Janet, small world....I live in Lombard, right next to Wheaton, and Pampered Val lives just a block or two from Wheaton college. Good job on getting back in the saddle. I hate it when I have not had a show in a couple weeks, it sometimes feels like my first show all over again!!!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Can you imagine if all of us mapped where we have lived in the past how much we'd have in common?

Or...a giant map of all our guests and hosts? I think that we've all had customers in common, customers who know or are related to other people's customers, etc.

The host's SIL was at the party - visiting from Dayton, OH. She owns most of the catalog so I KNOW she is someone's good customer in OH. :)

My host just moved from VA in August and she has a lot of PC stuff so I'm sure the same holds true for that.
 
Isn't it funny how things link like that? One of my SD's directors moved to VA last year. She is currently back in the area doing family things, and mentioned that "It makes me feel like I'm at home when I'm at my hospitality meeting in VA and someone mentions an idea they got from chefann on Chef Success." So somebody on this forum who lives in VA is sharing ideas.And then there's the case of the woman who's hospitality in my own cluster. When we were at Leadership, we went to the bar in the hotel where she was meeting her "real" cluster. One of those fantastic people was PCGina, who recognized me.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Back in the Saddle" mean in the context of direct sales?

"Back in the Saddle" refers to returning to hosting shows or selling after a break, in this case, a two-month hiatus. It signifies getting back into the routine of engaging with customers and showcasing products.

What strategies helped make the first show a hit after a two-month break?

Key strategies included reconnecting with previous customers through personalized invitations, offering exclusive promotions, and utilizing social media to generate excitement. Additionally, having a well-structured presentation and engaging activities kept attendees interested.

How can I prepare for my first show after a long break?

Preparation involves reviewing your product knowledge, planning your show layout, and practicing your presentation. It’s also beneficial to reach out to past customers to gauge their interest and encourage attendance, as well as to refresh your marketing materials.

What are some common challenges faced when returning to direct sales?

Common challenges include overcoming feelings of anxiety or self-doubt, reconnecting with customers who may have lost touch, and adapting to any changes in product lines or sales techniques. It’s important to stay positive and focus on building relationships.

What can I do to maintain momentum after a successful show?

To maintain momentum, continue engaging with your customers through follow-up communications, offer additional promotions, and schedule future shows. Keeping the excitement alive through regular updates and sharing success stories can also help sustain interest.

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