Help Needed: Consultant Struggling with Theme Show Supplies

[chefpelkey]

I've been a consultant now for about 3 months. I have approx. $350 pampered chef dollars in my account (yeah!) Anyway, here is my dilemma: I'm trying to offer as many theme shows as possible in my bookings binder. However, I can't possibly get all of the products I need w/o spending a lot of my own money. So, what do you guys do when you want to do a recipe but don't have all of the tools? Do you substitute something else? I'm thinking of hosting a fall kick off show in September to help me get the executive cookware at a decent out of pocket price. However, I really want the
12" skillet and grill pan too. I just feel like I don't have so much stuff to do my shows! :cry: Help, please. Thanks so much, Renee

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Your still new and fresh and people will not expect you to have everything. I would keep it simple, and only offer like 3 theme shows and if you need to adjust the menu to the products you have I would do that.

You'll have forever to acquire the products, start slow. Yes, hosting a fall kick off is good, but brace yourself, aren't always the most profitable...But if you want the cookware at 60% off and can afford it, then YES BY ALL MEANS, Host a show in Sept!

Use your $350 in PC $$ to get some other things. I use the trifle bowl alot and the Forged Santuko Knife (large one). Its all about WHAT YOU will use.

I do Trifle Bowl Interactive shows and they have been awesome---guests are involved and takes the pressure off of you! I have some recipes I use on my website.

We cannot list the website here, but you know the first part the last part is

/vanessawilliams

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[cookingwith_tara]

My director lets me borrow things when I need them. Can someone in your cluster do that for you?

 

[IAmChefJ]

A lot of things can be substituted... one knife for the other, I've used lemon juice because I don't have a juicer, and then say something like "PC sells this awesome juicer -- it's on page XX. It's one of the things I'm going to buy during September (explain the KE month when I get stuff at 40% off) so y'all just pretend I'm using that now... come on... "Oooh... Ahhh...")

I've found a little honesty and a little humor will go a LONG way.

I only offer recipes that I have the products for, however... I did have someone insist upon the Grapefruit / Chicken / Avacado Salad that was in the catalog, so I borrowed a bunch of stuff from my director. And fell in love with that grill pan...

 

[chefann]

You can also make anything into a theme show. Just because you don't have the tools to make one of the official recipes, doesn't mean you can't somehow link another recipe to that theme.

 

[Geekgirl69]

Don't forget you have Kit Enhancement month in your fourth month and get the discount on products.

 

[Humble Beginnings]

I agree, you can substitute some items. I'm new and I basically keep to a small menu for the host to choose from until I build my collection. I do love the theme shows and do offer them in a binder for host and guest to look at. If they choose one that I can't substitue a product for than I would talk to my director.

I love the trifle and did purchase that to make a shows, at the 2 shows I did the demo with these I sold 1 at each.

 

[chefpelkey]

Thanks to all for the wonderful ideas. My cluster is amazing! Miners mix are you out there? I just want to publicly thank you for always letting me borrow stuff when needed. You are the best. Thanks also to this site for all of the inspirational ideas and helpful suggestions. Keep them coming chefers! Renee