Is Hosting an Open House Worth the Effort for My Pampered Chef Business?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the considerations surrounding hosting an open house for a Pampered Chef business, particularly in the context of balancing personal commitments and potential business opportunities. Participants share their thoughts on whether the effort of hosting is worthwhile given the circumstances.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about prioritizing an open house over a planned night out with friends, questioning the value of the event.
  • Another participant suggests weighing the importance of bookings against social time, proposing a compromise to still meet friends after the open house.
  • Several users mention the possibility of skipping dinner to attend the open house and then joining friends later.
  • One participant shares their experience that small open houses can be unpredictable in terms of success, recommending involving friends to help generate interest.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of commitment to the business and suggests that friends would understand if the open house is prioritized.
  • One participant notes strategies for running an open house effectively, such as keeping demos simple and offering incentives for bookings.
  • Another participant recounts their own experience of being overwhelmed during a previous open house and suggests planning ahead to avoid similar issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the value of hosting the open house versus attending a social event, with no clear consensus on the best course of action.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and considerations related to balancing business commitments with social engagements, reflecting a range of priorities and strategies.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering hosting events while managing personal commitments may find the shared experiences and viewpoints relevant.

chefkristin
Gold Member
Messages
2,903
Ok so I have no bookings. I have an opportunity to do an open house on Saturday but I had plans to meet a bunch of girls for dinner and dancing. It has been planned for a while! I don't know what to do. There is going to be a Silpada Rep, an Arbonne Rep and a design your pocketbood rep. Do you all feel this is worth the effort? I really was looking forward to my girls night out but think I may be able to get bookings off of this.
 
It depends. What is more important to you? Getting bookings and sales or spending time with your friends. If it is the bookings and sales, offer a free show to your friends so you can still get together at another time - and make sure they come by the open house before going out. If it is going out, then go out and don't feel bad.
 
Is there anyway you could skip dinner, do the open house, leave a little early, and still catch your girlfriends for dancing?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
kdawn1124 said:
Is there anyway you could skip dinner, do the open house, leave a little early, and still catch your girlfriends for dancing?
You know I was thinking of doing that! I might just plan for that!
 
It does depend on what's more important or necessary for you. However, the small open houses aren't always successful so it's a role of the dice. I'd tell my friends, I REALLY need shows and I want to go out with you so help me be able to say no to this opportunity by passing a catalog. Tell them that you'll put it all in as one show so they can split the benefit. Kind of like a $1000 Mystery Host Show.
 
Personally, I would do the open house. You are making a commitment to your buisness by going to conference -- That tells me that you want to build this up. Keep that commitment by building things up. Meet up with the girls later on or another night. They are your friends -- they will understand!

Remeber the 90 day rule -- what you do today affects your buisness 90 days from now. Build Build Build!!

The open house will cost you little to participate in - It could potentially gain you a lot! Have a prize for people who book a show to entice them, but don't give it to them until their show is held. That will ensure you don't lose out if they don't hold the booking. This has worked out SO well for me at fairs and open houses. People love a prize! :)

Oh -- one other thing: Keep yourself available for questions by keeping the demo's brief and simple -- people will keep floating in and out as you go. The firsttime i did an open house I was so busy cooking the entire time that I was more like the hired help than the Pampered Chef -- keep it simple and easy! :) Make a few things ahead of time and then do a simple demo there. Have dips and snacky things available too -- The southwestern and Dill in the small addition bowls or the Chilzanne rectangular server are always big hits :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
yummybytes said:
Personally, I would do the open house. You are making a commitment to your buisness by going to conference -- That tells me that you want to build this up. Keep that commitment by building things up. Meet up with the girls later on or another night. They are your friends -- they will understand!

Remeber the 90 day rule -- what you do today affects your buisness 90 days from now. Build Build Build!!

The open house will cost you little to participate in - It could potentially gain you a lot! Have a prize for people who book a show to entice them, but don't give it to them until their show is held. That will ensure you don't lose out if they don't hold the booking. This has worked out SO well for me at fairs and open houses. People love a prize! :)

Oh -- one other thing: Keep yourself available for questions by keeping the demo's brief and simple -- people will keep floating in and out as you go. The firsttime i did an open house I was so busy cooking the entire time that I was more like the hired help than the Pampered Chef -- keep it simple and easy! :) Make a few things ahead of time and then do a simple demo there. Have dips and snacky things available too -- The southwestern and Dill in the small addition bowls or the Chilzanne rectangular server are always big hits :)
Thanks for the tips! Unfortunately I totally forgot that I have a baby shower at 11:30 am that day and I will never have time to get it together. I did call the woman and she said she would be interested in having a show at a later date. I will keep in touch with her.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Open House in the context of Pampered Chef?

An Open House is an informal gathering where a Pampered Chef consultant invites friends, family, and potential customers to their home or another venue to showcase products, demonstrate cooking techniques, and provide samples of food made with Pampered Chef tools. It's an opportunity to engage with guests and promote sales in a relaxed environment.

How can hosting an Open House benefit my Pampered Chef business?

Hosting an Open House can significantly benefit your Pampered Chef business by increasing brand awareness, generating leads, and boosting sales. It allows you to showcase products in action, answer questions directly, and create a personal connection with potential customers, which can lead to more bookings and sales in the future.

What are the costs associated with hosting an Open House?

The costs of hosting an Open House can vary depending on the scale of the event. Expenses may include food and drink, decorations, promotional materials, and any necessary supplies for product demonstrations. However, many consultants find that the potential sales and bookings generated from the event outweigh these initial costs.

How can I ensure a successful Open House event?

To ensure a successful Open House, plan ahead by selecting a suitable date and time, inviting a diverse group of guests, and promoting the event through social media and personal invitations. Prepare engaging demonstrations, have plenty of product samples available, and create a welcoming atmosphere to encourage guests to interact and make purchases.

Is it worth the time and effort to host an Open House?

Yes, hosting an Open House can be worth the time and effort if done correctly. It provides a platform to showcase your products, build relationships with customers, and create a fun and interactive experience. Many consultants find that the connections made during these events lead to repeat business and referrals, making it a valuable investment in their Pampered Chef business.

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