What Do You Wish You Knew When You First Started?

[Curlyone]

I'd say a "wish I knew" thing would be that this business takes ALOT more time than it's made out to be!

My DH reminds me of that all the time!! But he loves to hunt and THAT takes up a lot of time, gas, money (dogs, food, tracking collars, etc) emotional (can't come home if a dog is still missing!!)

So, I guess we are even!!

Plus we both love to do it.:love:

 

[Evelynt]

I'd say a "wish I knew" thing would be that this business takes ALOT more time than it's made out to be!

The more experience you have the more streamlined your business becomes. You learn what is necessary and what is not for your business to be successful, you become more organized.

My director has always said that one show a week is easier that one a month, because if you only do one show a month it is like you are always doing your first show, and you don't have the smooth presentation you desire. This all helps you manage your time better.

I hope you all have a very successful 2009!

 

[cactus_flower]

The one thing I wish I had done was to keep my starter kit unpacked and in the kitchen, so I would use and appreciate our wonderful tools!! Forget about keeping things sparkling clean. The more I use them, the more I am eager to share how great they work with everyone!

 

[cwinter474]

bumping for all the newbies...

 

[pkd09]

Close the show the night of the show. I spend so much time trying to chase down hosts to get their show closed (still waiting for two in May).

 

[esavvymom]

another one I've had (after a few more months in the trench )....if I could go back and talk to myself when I started- I'd say "Do what they tell you!" Book LIVE Cooking Shows, not just what it takes to qualify. The LIVE Cooking Shows are key to getting your business going. I'm learning that now! What you do now really DOES impact your business 60-90 days....and for those new who don't understand what I mean....when you are calling people/customer care calls/follow-up, and booking shows now- those shows usually occur in the next 30-60 days (hopefully closer to the 30!). Ideally, THOSE shows will convert into additional shows by getting 1-2 shows booked at each show, and then you've doubled your calendar forward, and hopefully can keep it fairly full.Had I GOT THAT back in September, I might not be struggling as much today. BUT, I'm a slow learner. Also- as much as I LOVE this site, I wasted so much time in the early days trying to "reinvent the wheel" by incorporating all the fancy flyers and such everyone makes. As much as I love them, and value the input, I should have stayed away from that aspect for my first 60-90 days until I had the basic PC concept down. PC has a great system, and with just a few exceptions or personal tweaks- I am back to using what they provided in the first place! *doh!*

 

[Beth1170]

Honestly, I totally don't get this. I am a fairly new consultant. I could pick up that phone every single day of my life... and still have NOBODY to call I've burned out every contact I've had with unlimited specials, offers, news, recipes... everything. They all have given what they are going to give and that's that. I guess this applies when you have a large past client and guest list huh? :balloon:

I felt like that early on in my business after my list of 100 had been run dry. I had such a fear of the phone and felt lost but knew I had to do something if I wanted to be in control of my business. I picked up the phone book and started calling. Believe me, you will never run out of people to call.
Once you have a few months under your belt you will have customers to follow up with. Customer care calls are very important in keeping a positive image for them and can lead to further business just by being friendly and keeping your name in front of them.
No matter what your goals are it does get easier if you remember to just be yourself and have fun along the way.

 

[littlemaisyPC]

Also- as much as I LOVE this site, I wasted so much time in the early days trying to "reinvent the wheel" by incorporating all the fancy flyers and such everyone makes. As much as I love them, and value the input, I should have stayed away from that aspect for my first 60-90 days until I had the basic PC concept down. PC has a great system, and with just a few exceptions or personal tweaks- I am back to using what they provided in the first place! *doh!*

I know what you mean by this. I still consider myself a newbie and I signed back in Oct '08. I became so overwhelmed and felt like my buisness and shows needed to be perfect and I needed all these products. Then I sat back and read all the stuff that came in my kit again. I to am back at square one building my buisness like I should have in the beginning. I love this site though!:love: