Performing While Pregnant: Tips for Lightening the Load

[AJPratt]

Hi! Long time no "see"! Things have been going well at the coffee house AND my PC biz is doing very well. My director had a show that she couldn't do and from that I just keep getting more. Talk about a huge help! So, my question is: Now that I am 34 weeks pregnant, how do I continue to do shows without killing myself by lugging PC stuff around? I usually only pack what I need, so I never carry a really heavy load, but these days it seems heavier than usual. Any suggestions?

 

[DebbieJ]

When host coaching, tell your host you need help lugging your things. I'm sure they won't mind and will be ready to help when you arrive.

 

[chefann]

Hey, Annie bananie!Ask the host or a guest for help - give them a little giftie if you have to (twixit clip, SBRC, etc). And don't underestimate the power of our catalog. The pics are great so you don't have to take anything other than exactly what you need for the recipe.And if your host is a previous customer, ask if you can use her tools - especially the heavy things like stoneware. Then you don't have to carry yours.

 

[AJPratt]

When host coaching, tell your host you need help lugging your things. I'm sure they won't mind and will be ready to help when you arrive.

Hi, Debbie!!! (sniff) I am going to miss you at conference!!! My crazy director will be there, though. Thanks for the suggestion.



Hi, Ann... You are right about the catalog. I am just getting hosts who want demos. (sheez!)

 

[chefmeg]

Ann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just thought of you the other day...I think I even asked in another post if anyone had "seen" you! Glad to hear you are doing well!

I love Ann's suggestion of using what the host already has! Do you know what sex the baby is?

 

[OhmyDLM]

Hey, Annie bananie!

Ask the host or a guest for help - give them a little giftie if you have to (twixit clip, SBRC, etc). And don't underestimate the power of our catalog. The pics are great so you don't have to take anything other than exactly what you need for the recipe.

And if your host is a previous customer, ask if you can use her tools - especially the heavy things like stoneware. Then you don't have to carry yours.

These are great tips above!!!

I'm going on 33 weeks pregnant and I just make sure my hosts know ahead of time and they are always more than willing to help. Of course I keep the load light as to not scare them if they may be interested in the business opportunity.

Also, I pack my kit the night before and my hubby loads it into the back of the SUV before he goes to work that morning, my host helps me unload it, and usually the host or a guest will help me reload it. Hubby brings it all in when I get home. Being pregnant has really got me spoiled when it comes to business!!! He He

 

[cmdtrgd]

Another idea is to do demos that don't use a lot of larger items. In August I am teaching day camps and will be too busy/tired to do a huge demo. I'm taking my 8qt. SS Bowl, SA Dots Pasta Bowl, Cutting Board, TTA and a few potatoes. The host will be providing ingredients for the Salad Chopper Salsa. We'll pass that around as people come up to use the TTA products on the potatoes. I'm hoping to be in and out in 1.5 hours. Barely any set-up, too!

 

[pampered.chris]

I agree with everyone above. Take only what you need and find out what the hostess has to use as well, just remember what is yours and what is not.
Best of luck!!!

 

[Addie4TLC]

Hi Ann. I joined CS almost a year ago and I enjoyed reading your posts. Glad to hear you're doing great and that your PC biz is going strong too. I agree with what everyone is saying. Walk in and greet the host with just your hand bag and then ask for help. Usually if any males are around they will volunteer. Keep it lite with an easy recipe.

The deli wraps is a good summer recipe and you don't need anything big and heavy!

 

[pckrissy]

Congrats Ann!
I did shows up to my last weeks and just brought TTA and things I needed for the recipe. I felt bad asking my host to carry in my things but they were all willing and offered before I had to ask. I did tell them during host coaching i was pregnant and may need help with things. Everyone of my host and husbands/boyfriends were great. I wish I was still pregnant so they will still carry my things! LOL!

Congrats again! I know we have never met but being "jersey girls", when you are back on your feet let me know...I am dying to come to "hill of beans" for a cup of joe! I'll bring my newbie...he is 11 weeks old today
Good luck with the rest of your shows and with a quick and uneventful labor!
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Hey Anne! Nice to see you. Glad to hear everything is going well with you. I miss you around here.

Hugs!
Linda

 

[Jessamary]

When I was pregnant, I didn't even have to ask...usually as the hostess's husbands were on their way out the door, they would carry my stuff in for me. Now THAT'S service!

 

[chefsteph07]

What about using a rolling suitcase for your items? At least it would be easier than carrying things?
Either that, or I'd carry the heavier items in separately and make a couple of trips.

 

[jrstephens]

Most all of my host volunteered to carry my stuff for me or got their husband's too. If they did not think to volunteer, I would ask. Just say "since i am pregnant can you give me a hand?"

I stuck to the same recipe too. That way there was not deciding what to pack each time. When I washed my dishes I put them right back in my basket. If I needed to use something out of it at home, when I finished it went right back in the basket.

I did the Tomato Basil Squares. It's a simple recipe and can be done with few products. I definitely found that having only a few products did not affect my sales any- I wil carry this into the future when I start my shows back.

Go ahead now and line up catalog shows for when you are off with the baby. You can do the 3 month leave of abscense but as long as you have a catalog show of $200 once every two months you are fine. That was great not having to worry about staying qualified.

 

[Chef_TK]

We must be due around the same time, I too am 34 weeks. I still bring the same amount of items to my shows, I just have my husband load up the SUV and then I tell the host that I am pregnant and will need help unloading etc. Plus some of my weekend shows, my husband as dropped me off and done all of the unloading for me.

I only had one host make a rude comment about it, when I was 14 weeks pregnant. She said that I can lift stuff blah blah blah, a few weeks later she too found out she was pregnant and now she views things differently.

I just did my last cooking show last week, and I plan on taking July and August off as I already have a fully booked Sept. I have a few catalog shows though to tide me over.

Good luck with everything!

 

[lacychef]

You've already gotten the advise I would give; just wanted to say hi! Glad everything is going well----I'll miss seeing you at conference!

 

[crystalscookingnow]

Hi Ann! I'm glad that things are going well for you. When I signed up, I was pregnant with my 3rd. My first cooking show, I was 18 weeks! I was a rookie & made rookie mistakes by taking too much, but I would definitely limit yourself to one recipe! I also did several open house shows where I brought my stuff in, unpacked & SAT on my hiney the rest of the night. Of course, the first open house I did, I had just gotten out of the hospital for early labor (25 weeks), so my DH went with and MADE me sit.

Best of luck!

 

[Chef Kearns]

When I was pregnant with #4 in 06 worked until the week before she was born. I found that I brought fewer items. However the last month (May) my husband or mom came with me to my shows to help lift (sometimes there is not someone who can or will help carry things) stuff. That was my biggest month in sales EVER! I should aways go to my shows with a pillow under my shirt if it makes people buy stuff!! LOL!

I hope everything works for you! It is nice hearing from you Ann. Take care.

 

[AJPratt]

OMG! Thanks so much for your advice and all of your kind words! We found out that we are having a girl. We're going to name her Mary Rose; Mary after my Nana and Rose after one of his grandmothers. I like the idea of sticking to a simple recipe that uses a few tools like the Tomato Basil Squares. I might just offer that up as the "featured recipe".

 

[chefann]

You may call her Mary Rose (gorgeous, by the way), but I'm still going to call her Beanie.

 

[lacychef]

Love the name

 

[AJPratt]

Ann, you can call her Beanie anytime!

 

[OhmyDLM]

Ohhh, here's another idea! If you have any potentials or team members, ask them to shadow your shows. It's great training for them and also a helping hand for you!

<3 Darcy

 

[heat123]

Hey Anne! Nice to see you. Glad to hear everything is going well with you. I miss you around here.

Hugs!
Linda

Ditto what Linda said, and if I didn't ever say congrats about the baby, congrats! Great to hear things are going well with both the coffee house and PC biz! Take care!

 

[smilesarepriceless]

It certainly is wearing.. :> I am 38 wks pregnant have 2 more shows..one tomorrow (fri) and one sun...---
I make myself limit what I take..and really focus on the KEY items for the recipe, and top sellers and a few new items..and tell myself 'its totally acceptable..I'm pregnant...and need to do anything I can to lighten the load :>

Best wishes through the remainder of your pregnancy all you pregnant gals!!!

 

[AJPratt]

Thanks for all the advice! I have two more shows I want to schedule before I'm due. I had one lady who wanted a show today (7/12) but changed to a catty show--OK w/ me! I was hoping to do them by the end of July, but I'll have to see. At least if I do them in July, and submit one in early Aug, then I'll be OK until the end of Oct staying active, which should be enough time. Hopefully!

 

[lacychef]

Missed ya at conference! Can't wait to see pics of your little darling!

 

[DebbieJ]

Missed you too, but saw Dawn lots. She is just as crazy as ever!

 

[AJPratt]

I missed you guys!! Dawn said she saw you, Deb!


Did you guys do a CS get together?

 

[lacychef]

Yep, there was a get-together, but I was unable to go.

 

[AJPratt]

That stinks (that you weren't able to go).