Efficient Packing for On-the-Go Women: Tips and Tricks from Kristin

[hcjeep]

So I am trying to go with less I am packed for a show tonight and managed to downsize just to the tote that my kit came in (I normally take a little bit bigger tote on wheels only but it has been awkward to carry) I am not using the DCB tonight and am really struggling whether to take it or not. I feel naked with out it I take it everywhere and love the piece? Do you take it if you are not using it? Help me know what you would do?

 

[KCPChef]

I do not do dishes at a hosts house. I simply bought a cheapo box of trash bags at the dollar store and I just keep them in my kit and put all of mirty dishes in it, pack it up, bring it home and load the dishwasher. never takes me more than 5 minutes.

 

[babywings76]

I know this isn't about washing dishes, but....for those of you that say you just want to get home...what do you do between the demo ending and people ordering? My customers usually take some time to flip through the book before they start ordering, so I do my dishes then...I wander around between dishes to answer questions and chat, but I rarely stay late just to finish my dishes...usually I'm waiting for the guests to leave or I leave before they do!

I know exactly what you mean. When I'm done with the recipe part and they are all eating, chatting, and shopping, I don't want to hover over them. Doing my cleanup gives me something to do and I stop here and there to go back and answer any questions or check people out when they are ready. Most of my hosts insist on helping me dry things and it gives us a chance after the party to talk about following up with people, what's on their wish list, etc. One time I went to a party and brought a big plastic tub to put the dirty dishes in. I was really glad I had that because time flew by and I had to go somewhere right away. The guests were just really chatty during check out and it took a while to get out of there. When they saw me take the tub of dirty dishes and leave they made comments like, "Wow--you packed up fast!" That made me think that I should do that more often, but I don't know...it just never seems to work out that way.

 

[[email protected]]

I walked into a show carrying JUST the dcb because I had put the molten peanut butter cake together at home and didn't want it to spill. The person that opened the door was so excited and said THERE IT IS!!! She had seen it in the catalog and loved it! When I was ready to leave I was just going to take the dirty baker home with me and wash it. She said "no way, you clean it here, so I can see how it cleans up" lol. She was sold when she saw how easy it was!

 

[magentablue]

I finish my demo, and start packing up my dirties, then before I am even done with that usually I get my first order. I feel really rushed to get my orders into the computer. I'm not usually ready for orders when the first orders come, and usually it's someone who is racing to get home to relieve the babysitter or whatever. Then all the other orders roll in. Within about 25 minutes of when I finish demoing, I'm done with all my orders. Washing dishes by hand would take a lot longer!

 

[babywings76]

Okay, so I just thought I'd come and post again since doing my party last night. Well, I think I want to come up with a way to transport my dirties safely home for the future. My host didn't want me taking things home dirty and wanted to help me clean them, so we did. We had fun chatting and cleaning up together...but I really was looking at things and wishing I could just go home--for my host's sake. The party was fun and stuff, but they were still partying and visiting and I just felt bad to be there still. I would've liked to see my host have more time w/ her guests. I told her that I'm okay and I feel bad she's not with her guests, but she said that they are still going to be hanging out for a while, so it's okay. But then the whole process of drying things and packing up took a little while, the party did die down and pretty much everyone was leaving the same time as me. I got out of there much later than I would've liked. So, while it's fun to chat w/ my host while doing dishes, it does take too much time for the whole washing/drying/packing process and I think I'm going to always have a way to taking things home dirty if I can.*ETA: The host did only help with the drying of some things, then stacked them and went back to her guests while I finished drying and packing up..so she wasn't doing the whole process with me. That would've made me fell even worse! I think she was fine with it, I just felt bad and need to come up with a better clean up routine/packing up dirty or whatever.

 

[vanscootin]

Okay, so I just thought I'd come and post again since doing my party last night. Well, I think I want to come up with a way to transport my dirties safely home for the future. My host didn't want me taking things home dirty and wanted to help me clean them, so we did. We had fun chatting and cleaning up together...but I really was looking at things and wishing I could just go home--for my host's sake. The party was fun and stuff, but they were still partying and visiting and I just felt bad to be there still. I would've liked to see my host have more time w/ her guests. I told her that I'm okay and I feel bad she's not with her guests, but she said that they are still going to be hanging out for a while, so it's okay. But then the whole process of drying things and packing up took a little while, the party did die down and pretty much everyone was leaving the same time as me. I got out of there much later than I would've liked. So, while it's fun to chat w/ my host while doing dishes, it does take too much time for the whole washing/drying/packing process and I think I'm going to always have a way to taking things home dirty if I can.

*ETA: The host did only help with the drying of some things, then stacked them and went back to her guests while I finished drying and packing up..so she wasn't doing the whole process with me. That would've made me fell even worse! I think she was fine with it, I just felt bad and need to come up with a better clean up routine/packing up dirty or whatever.

How about my host last night completely ignored me! When the party was over all the guests were drinking cocktails and chatting around the demo table so cleaning up was a difficult task... then after all the orders were in I was trying to leave and the host was just chatting away and everytime I tried to speak up she just went on and on... and on... I got to her house at 6... I left at almost 11.

 

[GinaG623]

I'm loving the idea of Packing Less. Not that I ever brought a ton with me. But I always brought my TTA, which I love, but the last few shows, I haven't, and that right there is a huge weight lifted. I strictly now stick with only 1 bag, and its a PC bag, but not any of the black ones, so it's smaller, and I fit everything and only what I need in it. I really only bring what I'm going to use. Except of course my garlic slicer, which I bring to every show and demo carrots in it. People love it and it sells well. Last night I did a show and only demo'ed the pineapple wedger, apple wedger, MFP, DCB (chicken cooked in it prior to show) and just a few other little things, that was it...Had a $1000 show. Brought less, used the catalog more, great results!!!

 

[Tamzin1020]

@ Amanda- If you want to get out of their earlier, you could mention in your host coaching about how; "you just love to Pamper your hosts, you start on time, do a quick demo, pack up (dirty dishes and all, since that is part of your pampering) and then take orders, you close with the host the next day, that way she/he gets to enjoy ALL the benefits of Pampering...she has friends over which she can visit with after the demo, and then can decide which items she wants for free/discounted without feeling rushed"I tried it for the first time on Thursday night. When we started I said "I know everyone has very busy lives, we are going to start now with a quick game and then start the demo. After the demo you can enjoy the Ultimate Chicken Fajitas and I will be checking out in room X. M (the host) has said you are all free to stay and enjoy the party after checkout as well. After I used each item, I gave it a quick rinse (some stayed in the sink), stuck it into my dirty dish bag (I use reusable shopping bags), and moved on. When the demo was over, more than half of my clean up was done. They ate the fajitas and I started check out. I have found in my limited number of shows, there are always guest who just want to get out of there.My host was super impressed with how quickly I set up, did the demo, checked out and cleaned up. She had a PC show a few years ago and she mentioned it 'dragged on forever' the consultant hung around etc. My SIL who drove with me was impressed as well! I am going to keep this up for the next month.

 

[kcmckay]

I only have had 1 cooking show since Spring Launch but it was open house and for those I feel like I should bring more. Since I'm not dong a demo. However, when we had our cluster meeting we discussed what was necessary to bring with you to each show and how to carry less. I cannot leave my TTA I would be lost without it! But we discussed bringing TTA but not loading it with everything. Not needing to bring every scraper, 5 quickcut pairing knifes, every piece of bamboo spoon etc! So I'm going to start taking someof that stuff out and I can fit the smaller things that I can't fit when it's chock full! LOL

I also have always taken my dishes home to wash. I use a rubbermaid bin and usually have it under table to put dishes in as I use them. I don't like to do dishes at my hosts house but sometimes they've taken it upon themselves and do them before I even realize it so I prefer to have it in my bin! One time my host washed my DCB and used soap! I typically when doing a demo put dishes in there and then when that's done and people are shopping I will start packing up everything else. But if I pack less I shouldn't have to pack up much! Because all my dirty demo dishes will be in bin, although garbage bags lining my carryall tote I wouldn't have to bring dirty dish bin as well. My next scheduled show is my own at my house so carrying won't be an issue!

 

[Melissa78]

I know this isn't about washing dishes, but....for those of you that say you just want to get home...what do you do between the demo ending and people ordering? My customers usually take some time to flip through the book before they start ordering, so I do my dishes then...I wander around between dishes to answer questions and chat, but I rarely stay late just to finish my dishes...usually I'm waiting for the guests to leave or I leave before they do!

I rarely, if ever, have time between demo and orders. Many of my guests are ready to hand me their order forms the minute the food comes out. I have to ask them to give me a few minutes to clean up my work area (which is usually where I do check out as well) and by the time I do that and then get those early birds taken care of, the rest are lining up.

I also use Walmart/Grocery store bags and simply throw my dirty dishes right into those bags and into my consultant bag. Clean up is in a jiffy then and I don't have to worry about clogging drains of the hosts kitchen and its amazing how many have full garbage cans (grrr) so I throw everything in, even the scraps off of my cutting board and take it home and use the convenience of my own large sink with garbage disposal. THen I load up the dishwasher/handwash what needs to be and then the bag is ready to be packed again.

Nancy Jo Ryan believes you should do dishes at the hosts b/c then you can talk with those who linger and those are often your recruit leads but it just never seems to work out for me. Once I'm done collecting orders I either want to high-tail it out the door or I'm chatting with the host (and not PC related...I simply like to get to know my host and develop that relationship without being all car salesmanish. Guess thats why I suck at recruiting and NJR doesn't.

 

[shaowchef]

Hi Melissa,

I have found that often times I had dishes to clean as well at the end of order taking. Here are a few quick steps that has changed that and I am out of the house in 90 minutes...generally with pretty clean dishes.

You know when you get to the host' house and she asks is there anything she can do? I used to say, "No, thanks for asking." Now, I say, " Yes, there is. Can you run a sink of hot soapy water so the tools , other than the stones, can be quickly washed after I use them?" Now, I did not ask her to wash them, but about 90% of the time she or another guest will. I of course, thank them and I leave with clean dishes.

The other step I added was at the beginning of the show, I let everyone know what they can expect in the show. "I will be preparing (or we will be preparing if doing hands on) a quick and simple recipe. You will be sampling it no later than 8:00. (if show started at 7:00) I will then calculate the orders. You can place them in a stack that I will do from the bottom to the top. Then go sample the food and visit and I will call you when I am ready for your order. I will take orders from 8:00 to 8:20, at which time I will pull Suzy host aside to let her know where she is so far. Don't worry. If you have not given me your order by then, Suzy will be figuring it for you. The I will clean up, pack up and be out the door by 8:30." This WORKS. The first time I did it without explaining what I was doing, people thought I was snuty, because I was leaving.

I also bring whatever tools I need for the recipe, the Deep Covered Baker and any other 3 things the host has asked to see. Hope this helps!

Brenda

 

[KCPChef]

ok- So I had my first show since Pack Less, Sell More!!!! And it was 7 guests, and a $800 party!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!! I ONLY brought what I needed, for the Fabulous Fajitas!!! It was a super hit and I had ONE bag!!!! And it was the bag for the mini kit- which, BTW I love because it has seperators in there for products! What a great idea!!!

Anyways- So it really worked and no one asked about anything... that I didn't have. I simply referred them to the catalog!!!!! LOVE IT

 

[lauriedip]

can we buy the bag for the mini kit?
congrats on a good show and I"ll be doing this for my next show

 

[babywings76]

I think the mini kit uses the Carry-All bag, right?

 

[PamperedK]

I think the mini kit uses the Carry-All bag, right?

As far as I know, (in Canada) they get shopping bags, not the Carry-All...but the Carry-All would be a great bag for this kit.

 

[skaugchef]

As far as I know, (in Canada) they get shopping bags, not the Carry-All...but the Carry-All would be a great bag for this kit.

In the flyer on consultants corner (in usa) they do get the carry-all tote

 

[esavvymom]

I just got back from my show and I took one PC Crate (the old ones), and I had my "31" medium utility tote bag with my papers/catalogs, and a reusable PC Grocery bag that had my tablecloth, apron, and the cooler with a few of my pre-made recipe items. That was it! Normally, I had 2 crates, and 1-2 of the grocery bags, plus my paper/catalog tote. I made the Mango Confetti Salsa, and had already made most of the things for the Cool & Crunch Chicken Taco salad. My host had the DCB, so I had asked her to precook the chicken in that before I arrived, so I didn't have to lug my DCB.Sales are at $426 right now, but she has at least 4 orders she knows she's getting in the next couple of days from folks she hasn't synced up with yet. There were 4 buying guests (1 had her mom and husband too, but it was one order), plus the host. All four of them spent over $60! I've never had that happen for sure.I was happy. And I felt the salsa recipe was an easy interactive demo. I also did the Queen of the Shopper's game for awhile- and that was fun! A couple of those ladies were competitive for the Season's Best that I was giving away- and one of them already had it! She just wanted to win. It seemed to get a little long, but still fun- and an easy way for ME to introduce the new products and talk about them a little.Anyway - I was happy with it...especially considering how long it's been since I've done a real show. (It helped that I've been with these folks before too.)OH -and the other bonus to packing less. I was late getting to the host's house. I was shooting for 10:30am (show started at 11:00am). I got there at 10:45 because GPS sent me to the wrong house. But I unloaded fast (one load), and set up quickly. I was ready at 11, and started at 11:06. Packing up was just as easy. Host ran a sink of soapy water- I washed, while they ate and shopped, then I did orders, packed and was ready to go. Two hours start to finish and I was in the car. WOW. A first there too!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I just got back from my show and I took one PC Crate (the old ones), and I had my "31" medium utility tote bag with my papers/catalogs, and a reusable PC Grocery bag that had my tablecloth, apron, and the cooler with a few of my pre-made recipe items. That was it! Normally, I had 2 crates, and 1-2 of the grocery bags, plus my paper/catalog tote.

I made the Mango Confetti Salsa, and had already made most of the things for the Cool & Crunch Chicken Taco salad. My host had the DCB, so I had asked her to precook the chicken in that before I arrived, so I didn't have to lug my DCB.

Sales are at $426 right now, but she has at least 4 orders she knows she's getting in the next couple of days from folks she hasn't synced up with yet. There were 4 buying guests (1 had her mom and husband too, but it was one order), plus the host. All four of them spent over $60! I've never had that happen for sure.

I was happy. And I felt the salsa recipe was an easy interactive demo. I also did the Queen of the Shopper's game for awhile- and that was fun! A couple of those ladies were competitive for the Season's Best that I was giving away- and one of them already had it! She just wanted to win. It seemed to get a little long, but still fun- and an easy way for ME to introduce the new products and talk about them a little.

Anyway - I was happy with it...especially considering how long it's been since I've done a real show. (It helped that I've been with these folks before too.)


OH -and the other bonus to packing less. I was late getting to the host's house. I was shooting for 10:30am (show started at 11:00am). I got there at 10:45 because GPS sent me to the wrong house. But I unloaded fast (one load), and set up quickly. I was ready at 11, and started at 11:06. Packing up was just as easy. Host ran a sink of soapy water- I washed, while they ate and shopped, then I did orders, packed and was ready to go. Two hours start to finish and I was in the car. WOW. A first there too!

That's sounds terrific! I love that salad, and adding the salsa in is so easy, since they have many of the same ingredients! Congrats on a great show!

 

[alidafrizzell]

I so want to simplify! Still looking for the right thing for me! I have the rolling tote and ONLY use it for booths now! OH MY GOSH! Even the EMPTY tote is heavy! Stairs, rocks, gravel, snow, slush... ya no way! Been there done with that! I am all about anything with wheels... but it has got to be much lighter and easier to use... I have been using one of the fold up carts from Office stores... Not totally happy but much better than the big tote...
As for washing dishes at the show... Well I "prefer" to wash there and take home clean... The main reason is when they are packed and clean.. I KNOW I have everything.. When I take them home dirty... it is very easy to "forget" something! YUP! Been there done that too!

 

[gobblergetter]

I took the SL message to heart. I pack less and my shows have not suffered at all, if anything my sales are up because I have more time at the show to interact with the guests instead of trying to get everything packed back up after the show. I get everything in my carry all tote and my catalog tote...if it doesn't fit in those then it doesn't go to the show.

 

[Liquid Sky]

I reward my hosts who wash my demo dishes an extra $5 of FPV. Works 99% of the time

 

[denise703]

It's driving me crazy... what is a TTA? lol

 

[esavvymom]

It's driving me crazy... what is a TTA? lol

Tool Turn-About.