What Was Your Reason for Joining Pampered Chef? How Were You Approached?

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

I love reading these stories. It's great to see the excitement of both the newer AND seasoned consultants. The beauty of the biz is that while the support of your recruiter and director is nice, it isn't necessary to be successful. CS and all the online training/audios on CC are enough to prep you!

 

[Aurora]

I'm brand new! And I recruited myself. :love:

I SHOULD have known when I found a brand NIB large stone at a garage sale for $10 this summer and practically forced my good friend to buy that bad boy. (I already have two! :blushing I was giddy with excitement, she was bewildered.

I've been using and loving PC for 10 years, and I've been a SAH, homeschooling mom for the past 7+. I needed a change of pace and wanted to get out of the house, mingle with adults, and have some fun while making a bit of spending money. I thought a while about what I'd like to do, and somewhere amidst the many, many meals and snacks I prep/cook all day, every day -- it hit me! :love:

So here I am. I looked online and saw that I could get 1/2 off the kit if I signed that day or the next (10/15-17), then I called the consultant who I had planned a show with about a year ago (cancelled that show, had never met her, but kept getting her newsletter!) and said "Sign me up! I wanna be a consultant!" Made her day!

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

I'm brand new! And I recruited myself. :love:

I SHOULD have known when I found a brand NIB large stone at a garage sale for $10 this summer and practically forced my good friend to buy that bad boy. (I already have two! :blushing I was giddy with excitement, she was bewildered.

I've been using and loving PC for 10 years, and I've been a SAH, homeschooling mom for the past 7+. I needed a change of pace and wanted to get out of the house, mingle with adults, and have some fun while making a bit of spending money. I thought a while about what I'd like to do, and somewhere amidst the many, many meals and snacks I prep/cook all day, every day -- it hit me! :love:

So here I am. I looked online and saw that I could get 1/2 off the kit if I signed that day or the next (10/15-17), then I called the consultant who I had planned a show with about a year ago (cancelled that show, had never met her, but kept getting her newsletter!) and said "Sign me up! I wanna be a consultant!" Made her day!

I'm very excited for you!!! It sounds like you're very passionate about your business and that's soo important!! Sounds like you need to attend Director Express, is there one coming up near you?

 

[Aurora]

I'm very excited for you!!! It sounds like you're very passionate about your business and that's soo important!! Sounds like you need to attend Director Express, is there one coming up near you?

I'm not sure... I'm in Alaska. Where can I find that info -- CC?

 

[pchockeymom]

I have enjoyed reading through all these stories (first time I've seen this thread). Because I always mention that every PC consultant has a different story, I'll share mine, it's VERY different than any I've read so far.

I went to my first PC party 20+ years ago, newly married, didn't cook. Saw the pizza stone, was hooked. Through the years I've filled my kitchen with PC products, never gave the business a thought. For the past 16 years I've been a carefree, stay at home, homeschooling and hockey mom. 3 years ago my, then independent m-i-l came to live with us. Christmas of 2009 she went back to TX to visit her friends and other son for the holidays. She was returned to us with full blown dementia. I went from a carefree, fun, life to completely stressed, full time caregiver (along with homeschooling, family, and hockey). PC is my therapy! One of my best friends has been a consultant for 18 years (she's in her 70s!!!). I asked her about it, signed up, didn't care if I made any money. I welcome my guests to my group therapy session and say it's the therapist that pays ME. Always get a good laugh.

I'd love to hear more stories. The more I know, the better I'm able to respond to people's hesitations.

 

[Barry Carlton]

I have enjoyed reading through all these stories (first time I've seen this thread). Because I always mention that every PC consultant has a different story, I'll share mine, it's VERY different than any I've read so far.

I went to my first PC party 20+ years ago, newly married, didn't cook. Saw the pizza stone, was hooked. Through the years I've filled my kitchen with PC products, never gave the business a thought. For the past 16 years I've been a carefree, stay at home, homeschooling and hockey mom. 3 years ago my, then independent m-i-l came to live with us. Christmas of 2009 she went back to TX to visit her friends and other son for the holidays. She was returned to us with full blown dementia. I went from a carefree, fun, life to completely stressed, full time caregiver (along with homeschooling, family, and hockey). PC is my therapy! One of my best friends has been a consultant for 18 years (she's in her 70s!!!). I asked her about it, signed up, didn't care if I made any money. I welcome my guests to my group therapy session and say it's the therapist that pays ME. Always get a good laugh.

I'd love to hear more stories. The more I know, the better I'm able to respond to people's hesitations.

Great phrase, you should use it in your shows.

 

[pchockeymom]

Great phrase, you should use it in your shows.

I do!! And I get alot of guests nodding in agreement, as to say, "yes that was me too". I sometime even take that stone with me to show them I still have it. Otherwise I just tell them.

 

[Brenda.the.chef]

Thank you for starting this link! You have opened my eyes to ASK, ASK, ASK EVERYONE! I’m amazed to see how many of us were the pursuers.. .and not the ones being pursued!

Three years ago I had no clue what PC even was! I was bargaining our union contract at work when one of the team members broke out a catalog during a caucus. Oh, I fell in love with the products, but not the prices. I bought a serving spatula and a hold and slice because of my budget. Fast forward two years when I lost $800/month in child support. I tried at home telemarketing and just hated the rules and restrictions. Then I saw a Facebook post of one of my high school classmates and how she’s loving her PC business. I sent her a note to ask questions and I spent over 2 hours on the phone with her. She told me I should at least try it for 3 months. Why she didn’t ask me to sign under her, I don’t know? She’s in NY, I’m in Illinois…. But I was naive at the time. I contacted HO and met my recruiter. She is horrible to say the least so I didn’t get the support that I felt I needed to start strong, but I don’t care anymore. I’ve talked to my SD and she is my support system now. I’m thrilled that I joined and that I’m on my way to making this my full time career. I don’t have to bargain for a pay increase like I currently have to do with my ‘real’ job.

 

[hcjeep]

I have only been in the business less than a year but grew up going to Pampered Chef parties with my mom. I never knew about pampered chef bridal showers or registries and wish I did when we got married seven years ago. I had two parities both when I was teaching full time and both when I was pregnant with my boys. I thought I could do it but at the time there was no way. I was never asked by either of the consultants and my shows were both over $1,000. This last summer my husband hurt his ankle and we were struggling to survive. I was invited by a neighbor to come to a party and I warned her I could not spend anything she said to just come and get to meet some other people in the area. I went to what I have to say was the worst party I had ever been to with two new consultants but their director was there. I sat during that show and thought I could do this show so much better than they were doing. I walked next door asked my husband and came back and asked the director to come up to my house as I had some questions. She came up and answered three hours of questions from my husband and I and I signed that night. I did not know how long I would really sell PC but am loving it and don't ever plan on stopping! I really do it not only for the money but because I enjoy it but also to have a break from my two little boys which has turned into special Daddy time for them that they really enjoy!
Almost to director (6 people under me just need a few more to secure that I have 6 active each month)

 

[Hunter Mom]

The first show I went to was was in 1999 (?) and I bought a kitchen spritzer and a SBRC. Mulled it over a bit, and then hosted a show a few months later. Did ok, but had a great time and loved the products I got. The consultant who did it was a director who talked about how she had quit her full-time job at a bank, and all she did now was PC. I didn't want to quit teaching, but at the time DH was coaching high school, so I figured it would be something good to get out of the house with. I signed up in January 2000. It was play money, I was a future director and got a lot of great products.
Sold for 3 years until DD came along.

Two years later, DH got sick. Very sick. Couldn't work, but we weren't used to not having his income. Since money was tight, something had to happen. I couldn't work a "normal" second job, but PC was something that I knew I could work much more part time but make a reasonable income, so I signed back up under my original director. Did well again, enjoyed it again. Life went on, DH got well and went back to work and I got a good promotion at work, life got busy so I quit. Again.

Last spring, we found ourselves needing more income. Now it is income for playing that we used to make but budget cuts haven't been helpful to. Because DH now works on the retail side of AT&T, his hours are not conducive to having me work another job. I want to be able to have my daughter and I able to show horses, but that's a darn expensive sport. Not to mention time intensive. So, here I am again. My former director had stepped down for quite a while, so I signed up with another local director whom I adore. PC now helps to pay for a lot of things that keep me sane. I love my business thought, and am grateful that I can work it around my crazy schedule.

I guess the short message in this is that we all have different phases in life, and PC can fit into any of them if you're passionate and want it to.

 

[ChefShalon]

I joined not to long ago (december) My mom loves PC and so does my grandmother. I had just quit my job as a Assistant Manager for subway. They where cuting my pay and I was making $600 a week salary and they wanted to pay me $500 well I work about 60 hours a week due to alot of other workers quiting or not coming in typical with fast food. I am only 20 btw. So if you think about it I was then only making 8.30 an hour which is lower than my shift managers. sad that they did that too me. After 2 months of not having a job I found a be your boss type job with selling KIRBY as you know is a sister company to PC. After a month of brutal sales tatics I hated it, I mean really the things Door to Door sales people do. But I am glad I did this as I did alot of called calling and if I hadnt of had this kind of training befor PC I wouldnt be growing as fast as I am. I am really good with talking with strangers. So on December 17th my grandmother was having a show for one of my cousins. I go in not even thinking of doing it as I still was selling kirby and had another Part time job as I Server for High end events and catering. So at the party my dad goes hey sha you should do this youd be great at it. The consultant wasnt even paying attention to our convo, I was like hmm yea I could do this I mean with my great personallity and abilty to talk to everyone like they where my friend and not to mention great sales tactics I said OK i am going to do it! At the end I went to the consultant my cousin and said hey I wanna do this. After that I had a show on the 20th and the 26 of december! when everyone told me a couldnt For March I have 11 parties booked! how about that my goal is 15 pers month so I can move out of my parents house and still pay for my car.

 

[julmarsala]

I went to my only PC show 5 years ago. A co-worker was a consultant. Loved the products, but only bought $40.00 of stuff. Decided to check out a cluster meeting to find out more information - had fun - loved the upline Director, but wasn't ready to sign.

I forgot about P.C., received the newsletters, never read them. Got married this November, had extra time on my hands in December - read the newsletter (kicked myself for not having a PC registry or shower) and decided to sign in January. I didn't want an interview, hadn't talked to the consultant/co-worker in 3 years, but decided to sign-up with her anyway. She did keep in touch through the newsletter. Fast forward to today - 2 months in and I'm having a blast!!!

 

[Amyskitchen2]

I went to a show in Oct of 2006, my DD was born 4 days later. The consultant never called me to make sure I got my products and never asked me about hosting or joining but I was really interested. In Jan 07 I moved 1500 miles away and did not know anyone so I went through the lead system. I thought it would be a great way to meet people and gave me some time away from my DD. The recruiter I was sent to just invited me to her house to "interview" me. She asked if I would sign before asking any questions and provided no training. I signed with her because I was chomping at the bit to get started. For a long time I was a hobbiest and constantly thought I would never really get into it but that has changed 2 moves later and another kid, mommy needs time with grown-ups.

 

[mjbroncobabe]

I went to my first show about 15 years ago and fell in love with the products. I really wanted to join then, but I was young, and didn't have a whole lot of confidence in myself. I had just went through a divorce and was still trying to figure out my life. Fast forward to 2009 and I met a consultant at a fair. I signed up to host a show with her, and told her I was interested in the business part too. From that day on, all she did was hound me...I mean, it was crazy. At the end, I didn't even want to host a show with her, so I canceled it. Then last November my friend hosted a show (her consultant is her cousin's wife) and I booked a show from hers. I mentioned I was interested in the biz to her that night, but wanted to think about it more. So, she said we could discuss it at my show. I had my show, and she asked if I had decided and that I could have my show as my 1st and I immediately said YES! And I am so glad I did. I have had the best time and have learned so much about myself and having my own biz. It's been a fantastic experience. I'm finally getting shows outside my circle and am looking forward to growing my biz. I am working at it full time, though I haven't exactly gotten the amount of shows I need to really make money at it. I have not had any recruits yet either though my host next week says she would like to sign up. So, I'm just taking it one day at a time and know it will get better when the sun starts shining...lol. btw, I just love this site! I have learned so much here. I'm more of a do-it-myself kinda gal and hardly have needed my recruiter to help me because of this site. So, thank you everyone on here. You have all been so helpful and wonderful!!