Pampering Your Business: A Guide for Newbies in Yukon, OK

[ChefNic]

I had a dentist appt yesterday, took a catalog and a HWC flyer in. signed in and showed them the flyer and catalog, told them about the HWC campaign, and also about "What we call Pampering a Business. It's where I bring in a dessert or appetizer, or even a salad for lunch. "
Then I had my teeth cleaned...when I came out the lady behind the desk said that she and the other girl behind the desk want me to come do that. And asked me to call her later this week and set up a day/time next week to do it!

I'd like to bring them a salad...I'm thinking the Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Toss from the It's Good For You cookbook. It's so yummy! Light! and easy!

She said there's only 3 of them there at lunch time...the rest leave I guess. But I'm thinking they'd hang around that one day for a free lunch...and look at the catalog!

Or I could bring in a dessert that everyone would nibble on.

But I like the whole...show up and surprise them...so it's not like I'm catering to them..."What would you like..."etc So I think i'll just ask if they would like a salad or a dessert. and leave it at that.

I look forward to doing this at least once a month too. Maybe once a week until I get my calendar the way I want it.

 

[AmieCream]

Way to go!Was it easier than you expected? I thought it was.Congrats, tell us how it goes!

 

[LCOLACHICO]

Thank youThank you to all who gave exceptional advice!! It sure has helped me with ideas

 

[krismaur]

Thanks so much for the Q and A! I'm feeling so motivated now!! My upline just pampered her bank and she brought in some cheap glass plates instead of paper - they had to give them to her before she left because they said that they couldn't keep anything of monetary value. I thought that was interesting, and something to think about if you bring your PC products to serve things in.

Anyway, thanks again you guys!

Kristin

 

[ChefDella]

this thread is so awesome my wheels are already turning thinking of places i could start pampering next week.

 

[cookin to the top]

I think Pampering a business would be a great idea for those tough months- when sometimes some of us (I) are doing all we can do just to stay active!

 

[cwinter474]

I love all the input this little post has gotten! There are so many ideas for the new and seasoned consultant here.

I agree that this is just what you need to get thru the tough months. It has saved my butt more than a few times. Now sometimes when I go to the bank they ask me when I am coming back to bring something. Which I don't mind doing as long as I get a few orders.

This month I am trying the HWC cookies and leaving a HWC order form. Wish me luck.

Carol

 

[CyndiWilliams]

I think ALL new Consultants should plan on pampering 1 business a week as well as having a mystery hostess show.Combined, these two things alone could produce the results necessary to qualify in their 1st 30 days.You know what else every new Consultant needs? They need CS!!! Have a great night everyone.I'm off to do a new flyer for Pampering businesses! Cheers,
Cyndi

 

[paigev71]

I am off from my regular job teaching VBS this week. I thought it would be a good time to "Pamper" a few businesses. I thought I would stick with those who knew me well, like my hair salon, doctor's office and insurance office. I was wondering though, since I am on vacation and have mornings tied up at church....how dressed up should I be when I go "pampering." I am not sure it is appropriate to show up in my shorts even though it IS summer. Can I get a few opinions?

 

[byrd1956]

I always thought this was called soliciting and most businesses around here have signs saying 'no soliciting'. Everything everyone has suggested sounds great; I guess I just worried about the legality of it.

 

[PC Angel]

Hi there Denis!

I just saw this thread and thought it was a great idea!! What recipe do you normally take into the office??

 

[Chefcouts]

I just had some great success this week! I went to a relatively new massage place down the street last Saturday, walked in with the Tropical Torte, and they were SO honored and surprised that I chose their business to pamper! I'm not doing so hot for my bookings right now, but this was great. Before I left on Saturday, they offered me a discount massage and everything!

On top of that, they happened to be having a grand opening on Wednesday (tonight) so they invited me back for that. I had my stuff up at a booth for only a matter of hours and booked 2 shows for May and got about 10 maybes! I didn't get very much sales, but it was the bookings that I needed.

This was my first attempt at Pampering a business, so hopefully it will continue!

:sing:

 

[PamperChefCarol]

I have to add to this thread.

Years ago, when I had ran another business, there would be no way that I would allow some strange off the street to stop in, bring something to eat and leave some catalogs. First of all, I don't know you from Adam and today, there are all kinds of people in the world. I would have politely told the consultant that we don't allow solicitors and shown her the door. Dessert or no dessert. Period.

That being said, a friend, who is a Mary Kay lady, is having great success by calling ahead and asking permission to stop by with a treat and some catalogs. I think she said, 30% of the businesses lead to business for her. Now if someone would have called me, explained who they were, that might have been a different story. Asking for permission would have done along way. I might have said yes.

 

[mrshamel3808]

Maybe it depends on what kind of area you live? Maybe more "rural" area business or even just a smaller town where there's one bank, post office, etc. I live in California, in a suburb of Los Angeles and while I love Cali, I've noticed in my traveling (limited as it is) that people in other states are WAY more friendly. Walking down the street we often don't even look at each other in the eye here, let alone say hi or be willing to eat something at a business that who knows prepared and brought. I think it's sad, but it's true. Calling ahead could fix that though. Also, I don't know how much this applies to other people, but as far as banking and the post office goes, I usually use drive through ATMs to deposit all my money and the rare times I do have to go IN to a post office there are 4 different ones (3 local to home, 1 local to work) that I go too. I really want to do this but I'm stuck on where to go...so far the only ones I can think of are dentist and chiropractor (I'm going tomorrow....hm....maybe I'll get up early and make something!).

Has anyone ever pampered a retirement or convalescent home? We have alot near us and they tend to be more receptive to people coming in from the community for stuff. I'm thinking of putting it at the nurse's station or break room, not for the residents (lots of food restrictions).

 

[ButterflyVioletta]

There is no way that anyone would accept "unknown" food where I live...Metro DC.I'm wondering if anyone has put in a fishbowl drawing contest at a business instead? Or are people also too leery of contests after being barraged by fake free travel contests?

 

[jen5512]

I got up some courage today and took brownies to a bank that just opened by my house. I walked in with a tray with warm brownies in the bar pan, some napkins, two catalogs and outside order forms. They were so surprised and excited and practically drooling over them before I even said who I was. I told them I had chosen them as a business to pamper this week and to enjoy the brownies. Before I said anything else, one of the tellers asked if she could see a catalog. I told them I'll be back tomorrow to pick up the tray and any orders there might be. I didn't say anyting about the host rewards, we'll see how many orders there are... It was super easy, and with boxed brownie mixes on sale for a dollar each, this one didn't cost too much. We'll see.

 

[caraighan]

I just show up with the food! I announce to them all that I was testing the recipe and didn't want to leave it at home because I would eat the whole thing!! I also bring along a ziploc bag with plates, forks, napkins (and whatever else is needed). I then of course have catalogs, order forms etc.

I almost always get enough for a catalog show! And it does generate interest in your business!:thumbup: :thumbup:

I try to pamper 1 business a month! I do keep a log of which businesses I pamper and what recipe I took. I find this helpful because some places I have pampered more than once! (and I can't remember anything unless it is written down!!)

I was wondering what recipes you take? Can you give me an example or two?

 

[BeckyC5830]

I got up some courage today and took brownies to a bank that just opened by my house. I walked in with a tray with warm brownies in the bar pan, some napkins, two catalogs and outside order forms. They were so surprised and excited and practically drooling over them before I even said who I was. I told them I had chosen them as a business to pamper this week and to enjoy the brownies. Before I said anything else, one of the tellers asked if she could see a catalog. I told them I'll be back tomorrow to pick up the tray and any orders there might be. I didn't say anyting about the host rewards, we'll see how many orders there are... It was super easy, and with boxed brownie mixes on sale for a dollar each, this one didn't cost too much. We'll see.

Bumping --- How did you do Jen?

 

[chefrebecca]

OOooohhhh..... I'm anxious to hear how you did Jen!!!!!

 

[toenail1103]

I had to add to this because that was what I did in my forst 30 days and it was really a great success. I asked ahead of time if I could do this because I didnt want to show up and the Library was somewhere i frequented. I collected about $100 in orders so no hostess benefits, I gave the coodinator a rub for helping me collect orders. I plan on doing my bank next and then my sisters mall where she works. Only six people work in it. (3 small businesses in it) and see where that goes.

 

[chef_izzybella]

Great ideas!! I was going to make the carrot cake cups to try out some of my items in my kit and I think I'll bring these by my salon

 

[cheflorraine]

Have others found that orders from Pampering a Business are sometimes good, sometimes totally non-existent?
I had great success with my very first one (dentist's office), but then when I was really needing some more sales, I tried a bank and a hair salon - zero orders from both of those. They loved the Nutty Caramel Brownies, and I was able to chat with a few people about PC, but nothing's come of those conversations and brownies yet...
It really helps if you connect with one person in a business who just LOVES PC... and who then kind of becomes your contact person there.