How Can Shy Newbies Thrive as Pampered Chef Consultants?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the experiences of new Pampered Chef consultants, particularly those who identify as shy or anxious about starting their business. Participants share their personal stories about hosting parties, generating leads, and overcoming discomfort in asking others to host shows.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal, Opinion-based, Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares their initial excitement and nervousness about starting as a Pampered Chef consultant, mentioning their first party and the challenges of generating leads.
  • Another participant expresses that they felt uncomfortable asking friends to host parties but later reframed it as offering value to them through free or discounted products.
  • Several users mention the importance of having a list of contacts and suggest that it can be a helpful resource for bookings.
  • One participant discusses their background as an engineer and how they relate to the challenges of social interactions in the context of hosting parties.
  • Another participant shares their experience of feeling nervous about cancellations and the pressure of needing bookings to succeed.
  • Several participants express excitement about the flexibility that the Pampered Chef business offers, especially for those balancing family and work commitments.
  • One participant notes the potential benefits for hosts, suggesting that they often receive more in product value than the consultant earns from the show.
  • Another participant shares their plans for upcoming shows and expresses enthusiasm about starting their journey as a consultant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the comfort level of asking others to host parties, with some participants sharing strategies to reframe the request positively, while others express ongoing nervousness about this aspect of the business.

Contextual Notes

Participants come from various backgrounds, including engineering, and share their unique perspectives on balancing their new business with personal and family responsibilities.

Who May Find This Useful

New consultants, particularly those who identify as shy or anxious about starting their business, may find the shared experiences and insights helpful as they navigate their own journeys.

Z
ZippyKitty
Messages
66
It's a long story but I decided I'd like to be a PC consultant even before I saw any of their products. I'm also very shy (although I over compensate so many people who know me don't believe me). So I had a party (after being referred to a consultant) and 3 people showed up! But they loved it! Everyone agreed to host + I found two other hosts.

However I'm pretty much out of host leads. I'm really uncomfortable asking people to host for me. Hopefully the parties will generate leads.

I order my kit tomorrow. (I'm having a bit of trouble and my consultant is out of town today - but will be back tomorrow). I'm very nervous.

I'm going to read through the bookings board as I really need help generating bookings. There is so much to learn.

I'm looking forward to it though.

ZK
 
Welcome Zippy! You'll find lots of help here.
 
Welcome, and congratulations on your new business.You mention being uncomfortable "asking people to host for" you. Try thinking of it this way. You aren't asking them for a favor. You're doing them one by offering them a way to get free/discounted products. You're offering them something of value.Best wishes!
 
Best of luck to you - and congratulations!! I agree with raebates in that you are doing THEM a favor...and man are they are ever bonusing from it!! However, it can be a little uncomfortable asking people to book a show at first, but then it becomes very easy. Have you started your list of 100? That's a GREAT resource!! Just remember to have fun at your shows and enjoy yourself! Best of luck to you!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
I haven't got my kit yet - I haven't ordered it yet - so I don't even know what my list of 100 is. I assume it is a list of possible contacts. Problem is - I'm an engineer - with all the social tendencies that entails :) . I asked my S-I-L today to host a show and handed her a catalogue from my party. She asked what the host benefits were and she left quite thrilled. Most my friends hate these sorts of parties though :) . And I pushed it a little too far with a good friend so now I'm nervous.Funny thing is - that got me pretty much double booked. One of the people at the party agreed to host - but she wasn't as enthusiastic as the other two. She also couldn't do it until late Feb. No problem I suggested the weekend of the 23. She didn't get back about it so I let it go (after a couple of emails - she regularly communicates by email). I was speaking to her husband today and it seems she's been inviting people! But I booked with my SIL (4 hours away) for that weekend! Its okay - we moved the first person to early March. ZK
 
ZippyKitty said:
I haven't got my kit yet - I haven't ordered it yet - so I don't even know what my list of 100 is. I assume it is a list of possible contacts. Problem is - I'm an engineer - with all the social tendencies that entails :) .

I asked my S-I-L today to host a show and handed her a catalogue from my party. She asked what the host benefits were and she left quite thrilled. Most my friends hate these sorts of parties though :) . And I pushed it a little too far with a good friend so now I'm nervous.

Funny thing is - that got me pretty much double booked. One of the people at the party agreed to host - but she wasn't as enthusiastic as the other two. She also couldn't do it until late Feb. No problem I suggested the weekend of the 23. She didn't get back about it so I let it go (after a couple of emails - she regularly communicates by email). I was speaking to her husband today and it seems she's been inviting people! But I booked with my SIL (4 hours away) for that weekend! Its okay - we moved the first person to early March.

ZK
Click to expand...

What type of engineering???? What school did you go to?

I'm an engineer too. :D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I'm an aerospace engineer in Canada. I'm expecting baby #2 at the end of August and with the cost of daycare I figure I might "retire". We shall see. DH may be losing his job at the end of July ... so I was looking for options. PC offers the ability to work around my family's schedule and is portable if we decide to move. (I went to UofT for my Master's degree)
ZK
 
ZippyKitty said:
I'm an aerospace engineer in Canada. I'm expecting baby #2 at the end of August and with the cost of daycare I figure I might "retire". We shall see.

DH may be losing his job at the end of July ... so I was looking for options. PC offers the ability to work around my family's schedule and is portable if we decide to move.

(I went to UofT for my Master's degree)
ZK
Click to expand...

IE here...Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in Wisconsin for Bachelors...UW-Stout for Masters in Technology Managment (was working on a Masters in Engineering Management before I got married and moved up away from schools.)

I have two kids also...

I took about 1 1/2 years "off" engineering when my #1 was born.

I think you'll really enjoy PC and the flexibility...
 
Welcome Zippy!

I had a hard time in the beginning. I felt like THEY were doing ME a favor by hosting a show. At my last PC meeting, I heard of a way to look at it from a different perspective. In our software program that we use to transmit shows, you can have it pull up a thank you letter for your host. In it, it tells them a few things about their party. One of them is how much $$ product they got, how much $$ they paid, and how much $$ they SAVED. Then, at the bottom it shows how much $$ they would have MADE if they were the consultant. MOST SHOWS THE HOST "MAKES" MORE THAN WE DO!! It may be that they are being compensated in product, but most of the time it's for more $$ than we are making!

That really helped me to look at things differently. Sure, you are asking some of your friends and family to consider doing a show for you to start off your business, but THEY will be very well compensated for it!

Welcome to CS and to PC!!
 
Welcome!! You will love this place!!!
 
An awesome way to look at it: I'm scheduling shows for February and March. When would you like to be included?

God Bless.

-praying for Paige and her family-
 
Zippy Kitty,

I am in the same boat you are in. I am ordering my consultant kit on Tuesday and I am really nervous about it. My Director told me to make sure that I had four solid bookings before I ordered my kit, and I have three parties and one catalog party booked, but I am nervous that one of these will cancel. I however am not shy at all, I have worked in sales and fundraising for years and normally have no qualms asking people to buy or purchase things, however my husband and I could really use the extra income from this and I really don't want to fail. I have already been asked about doing a fundraiser for a local organization. I am not sure what all of that entails, but if anyone has any good information or tips on that I would really appreciate it. I know my commission won't be as much, but I feel that it would be a great place to get new leads for regular shows and I'd be helping out in the community.

I have been silently looking over the message boards for the past two days and I am extremely excited about all the information and how helpful everyone is. If anyone has any suggestions for me, please let me know.
 
I am new here, too! I will be ordering my kit the end of next week after my mom goes back to Florida. I have two cooking shows definitely booked, a catalog show booked, and three other cooking shows that I'm supposed to call to book on Thursday next week.

I am really excited and can't wait to get started! We CAN do this!!!!

Kristy
 
Congrats to all you newbies!! You will LOVE the business and all that it has to offer. How great that you're out here "researching" and learning as much as you can about PC. This is an awesome place to get support, ideas and motivation. Welcome to PC and CS!!

As for being shy, that was the biggest thing holding me back when I started nearly 5 years ago. I tell you, the biggest reward I've gotten from this business (yeah, and the trips are nice too!:) ) is overcoming that shyness and really coming out of my shell. I knew at the beginning that it would be an obstacle for me, but one I really wanted to overcome. I looked at it as a personal challenge to myself to see if I could do it. And I hated cooking, so I had two "strikes" against me. Five years later, it obviously has been a good fit for me. Andl, I'm happy to say it's taught me how to cook (DH likes that too!) and I've become a much more confident person. It's totally helped me step out of my comfort zone, which has trickled into other areas of my life. I've done things that would have petrified me before PC, so I wish you the best of luck!!! Stick with it even when it seems hard and you're nervous....the payoffs are HUGE!!!

I hope you all get at least HALF as much as I have out of it. Enjoy it and have fun!!!:D
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can shy newbies build confidence as Pampered Chef consultants?

Building confidence as a Pampered Chef consultant starts with understanding the products and practicing your presentation skills. Attend training sessions, watch online tutorials, and role-play with friends or family. The more familiar you are with the products and the sales process, the more confident you'll feel when interacting with customers.

What strategies can shy consultants use to engage with customers?

Shy consultants can use various strategies to engage with customers, such as starting with one-on-one interactions or small group demonstrations. Utilize social media to connect with potential customers in a comfortable setting. Additionally, prepare a few icebreaker questions or topics to discuss during parties to ease into conversations.

How important is product knowledge for shy consultants?

Product knowledge is crucial for all consultants, especially for those who are shy. Being well-informed about the products allows you to answer questions confidently and engage in conversations without feeling pressured. Take time to learn about the features, benefits, and uses of each product to enhance your credibility and comfort level.

Can shy consultants succeed in hosting parties?

Absolutely! Shy consultants can succeed in hosting parties by starting with smaller gatherings or virtual parties where they feel more at ease. They can also partner with a more outgoing co-host to help facilitate conversations and encourage participation. Focusing on creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere can help ease nerves and promote engagement.

What resources are available for shy newbies in Pampered Chef?

There are numerous resources available for shy newbies in Pampered Chef, including training materials, online forums, and mentorship programs. Joining a supportive team or community can provide encouragement and share tips on overcoming shyness. Additionally, Pampered Chef offers various training sessions and webinars to help consultants develop their skills and confidence.

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