Don't Quit: Overcoming the Struggles of Pampered Chef

[janetupnorth]

To the OP, have you watched the CDs that have come in changeover kits? Have you taken the online training?PC provides so many samples of how to do things. Watch those things they provide for free! Also, there are even calling scripts on CC...dig around there - LOTS of resources!

 

[milkangel]

I am having a hard time coming up why quit and an exuse for it. the only thing i can comeup with is burnt contacts. Do have some that need to rescedual but that is it. any ideas? need to keep my sales. and i so want to stay home with my kids. i have done someany of my own shows and no one orders any more. from that. ideas please

 

[TrishPCMommy]

Step out of your comfort zone: Go to a mall (NOT a Walmart or Target (etc) where people are trying to get in and out as fast as they can), somewhere people go to look for a while (or a zoo or museum), wear a logo shirt and your catalog tote and have recipe cards with your contact info stamped or labeled. Look presentable and approachable at all times and walk through the mall and into individual stores. Let other shoppers see you and your tote as you go through items on the racks. The objective is to talk with them about different things you're both finding in the store and hand out your recipe cards ("any good sales you've noticed?"), compliment them on something they say or they're wearing, etc. and start a conversation. From there, "it's great talking to you/you're fun to talk to. I am a Pampered Chef Consultant... would you be interested in gathering some of your friends together for some food and fun?"
You get the idea... (don't need a script).

 

[Gina M]

I feel your pain.... I am contemplating hanging up my apron after almost 4 years. Still pondering it though. But I agree, we have the BEST Direct selling Biz out there!

Don't do it Heather! We'd miss you too much.

 

[pcchefjane]

If you don't feel you can do PC, you won't be successful with Tastefully Simple either! They are only spices etc and really I'm not impressed with them. They are higher than ours. You cannot combine the two "legally"!

Just to give you hopefully some encouragement. In July 2008, I had ZERO sales...not one show...not one online order...NOTHING! I prayed about it and asked God to show me if He wanted me to continue PC or not. I told Him that if He wanted me to quit to give me ZERO sales again in August! I had $250 that month and got several booths that I worked and made contacts at! I began to believe in myself because God showed me He was with me in PC. I got my first Recruit in November. Since November 2008, I have had only one month less than $1,000 and that was in January at $324! I have had 3 months of $2,000+. The difference? I started believing in myself again! I got out of my "circle of friends"! I never missed a Cluster Meeting or Training so I can absorb everything I could. I have done all the courses on Consultants Corner. My Recruit has been in a slump and I told her to go back and redo all the courses again to give herself a boost.

Check around your area for sports teams, churches, schools, etc. to do a fundraiser for! Go in happy and enthusiastic! Say, "I would love to help your "whatever" raise some money! PC lets your group sell anything in the catalog to raise money and not just a few special items! We have a great special this month. You can either let your Chairperson order the Host Special her/himself or raffle it off! Would you like some more details?" Go in very upbeat! Convince them you are better than wrapping paper, donuts, and car washes! Just don't "give away the store"! PC does a great job of Host Specials! Don't offer anyone extra free products to book a show! It rarely works and you lose money!

Hang in there! Don't burden yourself with more "stuff"! I may be wrong but I also think TS requires you to keep a lot of stock on hand...that is what one told me last October when I worked a booth beside her.

 

[legacypc46]

Listening to the recorded tele-classes available on CC can be a huge help.

 

[milkangel]

how meany of you acually make soething at thsa biz? and how much?

 

[ChefLoriG]

on average I make $2000 to $3000 a month. I do 6-10 shows a month, but I also have a team under me. Making money at this business can be done, just have to pull up your bootstraps and do the work. Make the calls consistently (don't just give up after 1 whole night of calls and you called everyone and no one answered!) Get out and about, give away recipe cards to everyone you meet. Do fairs, ask for referals. I have a saying on my wall "When you know what you want and you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it" How bad do you want to stay in this business?

The key to this business is consistency. Commit to booking 1 show per week, make calls, contacts till you get these shows booked. Once you have the shows booked, then get the bookings from your shows. This way you aren't starting and stopping your business, it's like doing your 1st show all over again, all the time.

 

[pamperedlinda]

Great advice Lori!

 

[chefjeanine]

I wouldn’t be a consultant if I wasn’t making money. I’ve been able to purchase our cars with my income and contribute to other household bills.

The biggest perk for me is being my own boss. But, I’ve had to come to the realization (and sometimes I have to be reminded over and over again) that this business requires work and commitment. It is a job!

Are there overnight successes? Sure, but they are the exception not the rule. I’d wager that most of us who consider our businesses to be successful have worked at it for several years.

When I’m in a slump all I need to do is look at the employment ads and consider what it means to work for someone else. :yuck: That gets me moving again.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I wouldn’t be a consultant if I wasn’t making money. I’ve been able to purchase our cars with my income and contribute to other household bills.

The biggest perk for me is being my own boss. But, I’ve had to come to the realization (and sometimes I have to be reminded over and over again) that this business requires work and commitment. It is a job!

Are there overnight successes? Sure, but they are the exception not the rule. I’d wager that most of us who consider our businesses to be successful have worked at it for several years.

When I’m in a slump all I need to do is look at the employment ads and consider what it means to work for someone else. :yuck: That gets me moving again.

Exactly.

I tell people all the time that while I love my job, I wouldn't be doing it if I wasn't making money. I've worked for years to build my business to where it is today, and any success I have comes from just one thing. I didn't quit. That's it.

 

[pamperedlinda]

Here is a bit of advice that a very wise (and successful) PC Director once gave to me (Koolotus - where are you?!) when I was trying to earn my first PC Incentive Trip:

First do you really want it? If you do not truly want it and believe you will achieve it, nothing else will make a bit of difference. Some days will suck and you have to have a vision of your results to get it going. Once you've settled that, you need to figure out what ACTIONS will lead to results. I scheduled a sampling event at my house. I knew I needed recruits to promote so recruiting was not optional. I think you would agree it is not optional for your goal either. Then I printed my entire contact list, 2 years worth! You have more, buy extra ink, you'll need it!
Then I scheduled time with my family to be on the phone. I made calls for a set amount of time everyday! Phone calls are necessary. I started at A and did not pick and choose who I called. It is hard but you MUST NOT PICK AND CHOOSE! You will waste valuble time and miss great connections.
I wrote out a script, more or less.
It is 4 goofy questions.

Call everyone, tell them you are just calling to connect with your customers because of whatever reason and spend 2 or 3 miutes connecting. Then say "Well since I have you on the phone can I just take 2 minutes to ask you 4 goofy questions?"
1) Have you ever though about owning your own business?
2) Would you like to host a cooking or catalog show?
3) Can I put you on my email newsletter for recipes and specials every 6 weeks or so?
4)

Nope, no 4, I just wanted to leave my options open.
I asked everyone I called every question. Pretty much all of them were happy to hear from me and those who weren't...oh, well.
I guess for 4 you could ask for referrals, I get tons of referrals, but secretly I think it is because I don't ask for them

Of course you would have appropriate conversations and do the follow up.

Also, before you go to bed at night ask yourself if you have done enough today to get you closer to your goal. You will tell yourself the truth. Act accordingly.

 

[pamperedlinda]

And - I don't know if you are a spirirtual person or not, but this is a good motivator too:

RAISE YOUR LEVEL OF EXPECTANCY

God is extremely interested in what you see through your “spiritual eyes”. If you have a vision for victory in your life, you can rise to a new level. But as long as your gaze is on the ground instead of on your possibilities, you risk moving in the wrong direction and missing out on the great things God wants to do in and through you. It’s a spiritual as well as a psychological fact: We move toward what we see in our minds.

Your life will follow your expectations. What you expect is what you will get. If you dwell on positive thoughts, your life will move in that direction; if you continually think negative thoughts, you will live a negative life. If you expect defeat, failure, or mediocrity, your subconscious mind will make sure that you lose, fail, or sabotage every attempt to push above average. If you raise your level of expectancy, you will enlarge your vision.

It’s important that you program your mind for success. You must think positive thoughts of victory, of abundance, of favor, of hope. Each day, you must choose to live with an attitude that expects good things to happen to you. Start your day with faith and set your mind in the right direction, then go out expecting the favor of God. Expect to excel in your career and rise above life’s challenges. Believe God for a great future. You have good things coming!

THIS COULD BE THE DAY YOU SEE YOUR MIRACLE.

 

[milkangel]

How meany of you have 2 kids that are under 3? and still do pampered chef?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

No One has the exact same set of circumstances - so you really can't compare or make excuses based on kids/job/etc....

My director has 5 children, and when she started, she had a 2 yr old and a new baby. She is very successful in her business.

Many people work 1 or more full time jobs, have kids, and still maintain their business.

It's really just about attitude and perseverance.


ATTITUDE
by: Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

 

[pclinskie]

one of my team members has gone through 3 pregnancies with pc, her oldest is now 10 and youngest is 5.
another team member has 6 children youngest, 6 oldest 16, very busy life, and never does weekend shows and has earned TPC last 2 years/.
This can be done, I've seen it!!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Do you want to quit or do you want to stay?

All I hear from you are excuses and I think you have already made up your mind. If you want to stay, then make it happen! Quit whining and DO SOMETHING about it.

A very successful Director in my extended cluster had just moved here when she started her biz and she didn't know a sole! She walked her neighborhood and invited her neighbors to come to her first show, she talked to everyone she met, she asked for referrals - she MADE it happen. She had no local support, a newborn son and a POS DH.

Business will not come to you, you have to go out and find it.

 

[milkangel]

To let you all know i dont want to quit but the questions id what my hubby had asked me because he talked to our sister in law that sold it 7 yeasr ago and she thinks differently about it and she really dont think is is worth the time and my hubby does think that people have not much money and saving and he thinks that about every one. his mom thinks that way so he will too. when he asked me how much i do i said very little on it and he said why keep going? SO i was doing my homework so i can tell him what some do. SO in my words and in between the line he wants me to quit but when i ask him he says no i did not say that. IAM NOT QUITING I want to stay. But i now need to change my show out line and what i give away at booths. What can i do? any ideas? I AM STAYING

 

[mscharf]

How meany of you have 2 kids that are under 3? and still do pampered chef?

I do, I have 3 total: 7 ,just 3, and 1.5! I am VERY busy with my girls, but I am commited to make this business work. I am promoting to director this month, and I am so excited to earn Disney and celebrate with my family!

 

[ChefJoyJ]

How meany of you have 2 kids that are under 3? and still do pampered chef?

I do. I have an 8 month old and an almost 2 1/2 year old. I plan my shows for weekend afternoons/evenings or weekday evenings, where my husband can be with the kids. Since I'm still nursing my 8 month old, I tell my hosts (and guests) of evening shows, that I will finish the "show" part around 7:15 and try to leave around 8, so I can get home to feed my baby. Since the guests are 99.5% female, they all understand. If your baby is bottlefed, then you have it even easier, since your husband can feed the baby and put him/her to bed.

It's not impossible with 2 young kids, it just takes a bit of juggling and desire to build your business/work your business. I enjoy Pampered Chef, doing shows, and talking to my hosts. I told the guests at my last show that this was my evening out, so we were going to have a good time. And we did...and I booked 3 shows.

Honestly, having read this thread...it kind of sounds as if you are done with PC, but looking for people to give you reasons to stay. You have gotten tons of great advice, but it comes down to you. Is PC your passion? Is the desire of your heart working your PC business? Building it? Stepping out of your comfort zone?

I've been where you are. I felt as if I'd dried up my leads, etc. I've taken a year off (due to family illnesses, deaths, and the birth of my DD/adjusting to life with 2). Now, I'm approaching it with a bit less "anxiety" and a lot more fun. My last show was a lot of fun. We did it as an interactive show/"girls hanging out in the kitchen" sort of feel. They all commented on what a good time they had. I wasn't stressed about remembering all the product info...or throwing out booking or recruiting one liners. I relaxed and had fun, and did remember most of what I wanted to. I did forget a few things, but they had no idea. Since I got 3 bookings, I figure I did something right.

I've learned that PC is not a get rich quick kind of thing...but something you have to keep plugging along/keep working at. If life dictates that you are unable to do that, instead of getting out entirely, just take a few months off (yes you'll lose your career sales), and then approach it fresh and new! That's what I did and it seems to be working.

Good luck! I hope that things work out, however you want them, to your best benefit.

 

[etteluap70PC]

You have asked the same advice repeatedly for over a year. You have been given wonderful advice repeatedly. Maybee the timing is not right for you. If you truly love the biz opportunity you have, then Take Action and make a change. Make a list of how you are working each aspect of your biz. Make a comitment to change 1 thing you are doing each month (or 2). Obviously from your posts what you are doing now is not working. Keep a journal and each day write honestly what you have done to work your biz. It might be a huge eyeopener.

If you are quitting then do it and be done with it. We wish you well in whatever you choose for you and your family.

 

[janetupnorth]

I'm glad you made a decision, go with it. But, you have to understand how you come across in this thread and others and how it appears. When you post, "I am done with PC", that IS NOT the same as "I need to change some things, get my butt in gear and make this work." Your words are saying you are giving up.Everything you ask lends to that tone. This statement also is in that tone...: "How meany of you have 2 kids that are under 3? and still do pampered chef?" ...and still do Pampered Chef? Still denotes that you can't do both...how about asking how people balance PC and kids. Having kids doesn't make or break you in the business or life. I started my Master's Degree when my daughter was 3 and my son was just a few months old. I also worked 40+ hours, helped at camp, was a volunteer Firefighter/EMT, helped in AWANA, and much more. It's up to you how motivated you will become and how you will organize your life. Ask those who know me pretty well here...Becky...Rae...Linda...Diane V....others...every once in awhile I'm sure they still get surprised by an activity I'm doing. Well, maybe not surprised anymore but more like, another thing?Follow Rae's posts sometime! I swear that woman can run circles around me some days! The difference between her and you? (Other than a few years - sorry Rae couldn't resist!) Desire and motivation. She gets up every day, has a plan, gives it to God and then goes out and does it. She doesn't waste time complaining about a lack of business, she gets on the phone. She doesn't complain about having laundry to do, she goes and does it.It's all focus. You can't be a glass half empty person all the time. So work on your mind and your focus. Don't listen to naysayers and pick up their attitude. Get an attitude and PROVE them wrong!

 

[milkangel]

My New and better question is this. How do you balance PC and kids? I Now know what i need to do. How can i change what i am doing? I need to do something about it and i now need help. I want to change my show mat insted of winging it all the time because i never get any one excited about the host specails or the free prouduct and what not. so now what?

 

[Nanisu]

If you had a day job, how would you balance your time with your kids? Would you find someone to watch them while you worked, even if that was your husband? Would you make the time to go to work each day? Or would you call your boss and say "I don't know how to balance this job with my kids..." repeatedly? You have plenty of tools and plenty of support on this board, now the job is to map out a game plan and do it. It seems to me that before you work on changing your show format you actually need to get shows on the calendar. The more you do, the more you'll do with this business--the more practice you have doing shows, the better you will be at doing shows. I would work on filling your calendar first before I worried about what your show looks like--it will naturally evolve the more shows you do. Sit down and make a plan, how many people you will call each day (and who), what you will say, and how you come across.

 

[Liquid Sky]

My New and better question is this. How do you balance PC and kids? I Now know what i need to do. How can i change what i am doing? I need to do something about it and i now need help. I want to change my show mat insted of winging it all the time because i never get any one excited about the host specails or the free prouduct and what not. so now what?

To not wing a show -- make a show outline and follow it.

I am at the point of feeling like this thread is going around and around in circles. You keep asking how to change, what to change, what do do....and that's what everyone here has been helping you with...yet the same questions keep getting asked by you. Are you reading everyone's posts? If you are, are you asking the same questions 5 different ways because you are not receiving the answers you want to hear?

If you need/want help -- do a search on the boards. There are TOOOOOONS of posts about booking ideas, show outlines..etc. I know I have said at least 3 times to you in the past 2 months to invest in Belinda Ellsworth's products to help w/ bookings and show format. I have also recommended Tammy Stanley for phone issues you inquired about.

Slow down, READ and ABSORB all that everyone is giving you advice on.

 

[DebbieJ]

I think better than asking here would be to sit down with your recruiter/director/upline and having this conversation face to face (or at least by phone) with them. Let them help you with a plan of action.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

My recruiter has two kids under 3 and is pregnant with her third, and averages 2 shows a month.

 

[milkangel]

I wanted to Thank you all for your input on how to handle what ever it might be and for all of your advise. i do read every ones post and I have talked to my director and she said just to plug away at it and it will work. Also my recruiter had quit now so i dont have her to aks any questions any more. THANK YOU and God Bless

 

[chefsteph07]

Do you go to monthly sales meetings?

Do you have any one in your cluster who you could buddy up with and kind of bounce ideas off each other?

Can you find some booths to do with fair season in full swing?

Take some online courses, teleclasses...talk to people, pamper a business...whatever it takes..set a goal...stick to it.

 

[etteluap70PC]

If that is truly what your director said that is a bummer. go to the next level. Contact her director. It will be on your comish statment. Don't have her info? Call HO. Someone in your upline Will support you! That is what they are paid for!