Working Towards Disney, Need Help!

[OhmyDLM]

Ok, so I was doing some tracking today and I've come to realize that Disney is not as far away as I had original thought it would be for me. Here's the thing...

After a miserable first trimester and having to take three months off in a row for bedrest, I'm finally on the mend and held my very first show back this week. It was amazing!!! I had almost forgot how much I love doing what I do, it had been so long. So during that time when I submitted $0 in sales, I was still recruiting like mad. Because of that, I have a ton of recruiting points to add to my sales points I earned the beginning of the year. I spent some time this afternoon doing some tracking, (as I had pretty much assumed Disney was out of reach from taking 3 months off) and I'm kinda of shocked what I discovered:

I'm 7600 points away from earning Disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have 5 shows this month and two shows scheduled next month. My sales average is not very high (around $500) or so, so that's obviously going to leave me just short of earning the trip. I do have open dates left on my calendar and am willing to book those dates now that I'm feeling much better, it's just a matter of making it happen. If I could recruit 1 or 2 more people by the end of this month, I would really feel better about my chances (and I do have potentials out there)...

What I want to know from you, is there anyone else out there in my position or have been in my position before? I'd love to know what you did to make it happen for yourself! Did you just book more shows, offer any special sales? Offer and extra recruiting incentive?

I don't know what to do... Disney would be BEYOND PERFECT for my family next June and we just can't afford to do it on our own right now. As it is, I would have a little one just under two (can you just imagine him at Disney for the very first time!) and a little baby who would be just a month of age... ahhhhh. I want this so bad, I just need to figure out how to make it happen! I'm open to all suggestions

<3 Darcy

 

[Chef Kearns]

We are in similar spots. You are actually closer than I am right now. As of yesterday I still needed 12,029 points!! A consultant qualified last night, but they haven't posted those points yet (I don't want to count them until they are really real!). I have another set to qualify next week and a gal signing tomorrow. That will help, but I'm still far off.

At the beginning of October I almost gave up on Disney. It seemed impossible given how far off I was. The first thing I did was breakdown how many parties I needed to have if they all were at least $500. Then I looked at how many I could actually do given my family's schedule. That came to a max of 12 in November and 5 in December (then the 5 I had in October). Twenty shows! That would give me $9500 in sales and then I looked at how many recruiting points I would need to make up the difference. The Lord sent 2 to me in one week, that was actually the catalyst for looking at what it would take.

I was a little afraid of calling people and asking them to help me (it felt selfish), but I was okay writing a letter. LOL!! So I drafted a letter and sent it out to anyone who held a fall party with me within the past 3 years. I sent them out in shifts. Mail some one week, then more the next, then more the next. I would wait 1 week then call to follow up on the mailing. Many of them wanted to help me!! Some placed orders, some referred someone else, and some booked their own parties. I told EVERYONE of my goal! My friends posted for me on FB and one friend of mine got me 3 bookings just from that (and a recruit lead)!!

I started off saying that I would give an extra $25 for anyone who hit $600 in sales. My friends and customers were so eager to just help they didn't want the extra!! So far I haven't had to give it out. They want Mickey ears! LOL!

Darcy, since we are already half-way through November I would recommend just calling EVERYONE!! Let everyone you speak with know about your goal. People will want to help you!

Good luck, sista! Oh, I did all of that plus LOTS of prayer!!

 

[OhmyDLM]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM! It's such a long shot, but I have to give it a try right, it would just be too perfect of an opportunity for my young family.

Would you mind sharing with us the letter you sent out? I still have time to email something like that wouldn't I?

<3 Darcy

 

[finley1991]

Host coaching your hiney's off!!!!

 

[Chef Kearns]

Sorry, had a party. I'll try to attach it now. It's kinda on the long side. I've been told I'm a bit rambly! LOL!

With the letter I included a flyer that had the fall specials on it and a catalog.

 

[dannyzmom]

In late April of 2006, I was $8500 away from earning TPC.
I was on the level 4 cruise with mega-top-performers.
I had no clue what TPC was, meant, or what the benefits to me were.
Floating in the sip pool I got to chatting with a Director from Cali (wish I could recall her name) and she got me ALL kinds of pumped up to earn TPC. I had 6 weeks...actually 5 and a half weeks to do it.
What she said to me was "Pull out all the stops."
I got off the ship after the cruise ended and started calling every customer I had ever dealt with. One by one. Calling everyone. I told them of my goal and what it meant to me ($360PC, a ring, gold embossed biz cards, recognition, pillow presents & an extra day on the next years' trip)...and I offered every single one of them a SBRC if they placed an order.
I got a buncha bookings...and told the hosts of my goals (which they then told their guests)...
long story short, on May 31st at 11:30pm, I submitted the last show that pushed me over.
If I could do 8500 in 5.5 weeks...YOU CAN DO THIS.
GET ON THE PHONE!!!!!

 

[ChefLoriG]

this is my favorite quote:

When you know what you want, and you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it.

 

[quiverfull7]

I have level 2 but am SO set on earning level 3 for my family. It's a HUGE prayer request before the Lord. My dh still isn't completely convinced about how awesome the incentive trips can be...we had to take the cash last year... and I just want badly to earn level 3 so that he is blown away by all that is included. He is unemployed right now so every extra dollar and extra thing included makes it easier for me to talk up how great it will be!!! Earning that level will also give me even more opportunities to talke about God's faithfulness as I watch Him orchestrate all of this and work hard at the plan He has shown me. I need about the same points as you and am going to get on that phone and just call the world!!!!!! Starting with just loads of customer care! What I also need is one more recruit and for both my new one that just signed and whomever else I'll sign VERY soon to qualify or it won't happen no matter what my sales are. I feel kind of ok about getting the sales points that I need, am just working to get one more to sign and both to qualify. The one who just signed is so motivated, I think she'll be qualifed quickly but I'm working to sign as many as possible just to make sure. I go between a lump in my throat and soaring with excitement. THanks to all who have posted encouragements here. They help SO much!

 

[dannyzmom]

this is my favorite quote:

When you know what you want, and you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it.

Lori - you put that quote out there when I was working to earn Level 4 Washington DC a few years ago. I printed it on a piece of paper with some DC pictures and posted it next to my desk. I got Level 4 DC that year

 

[annew]

I'm pretty stressed @ the moment myself.....I'm about 10,000 points away from level 3 BUT it depends if I make Advanced this month.....I'm not sure that's going to happen & I don't want to get my hopes up & bust my a$$ & then still be short of earning the trip!
NEXT year I WILL NOT be in the situation & I WON'T depend on other people to help me earn the trip I WILL make it w/sales & recruiting NEXT year!!!!

I'm happy I earned level 2 but really needed level 3 this year b/c I just went from full-time to part-time & lost $15,000/year so the airfare would def. help us out in June......

Let's hope there is a miracle for all of us this month!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ChefLoriG]

Lori - you put that quote out there when I was working to earn Level 4 Washington DC a few years ago. I printed it on a piece of paper with some DC pictures and posted it next to my desk. I got Level 4 DC that year

I'm glad it helped you Carolyn! =)

I got the quote from Director Academy, and I was soooo far away from level 3 trip to Atlantis, but I made it!

 

[OhmyDLM]

Amazing advice from ALL!!!!!!!!! I thank you all so much. I haven't been on the phone, I've been working my computer/email/social networks like crazy, but I've been avoiding the phone due to my own insecurities. I now realize those insecurities are what's going to cost me Disney. I'll be picking up that phone tomorrow and thanking you all for the encouragement to do so!!!!!!!!!!!

<3 Darcy

 

[PCJenni]

Good luck Anne as you strive for AD. I promoted from D to AD this year and it is amazing!! The bump in the paycheck is huge. My income has almost quadrupled by moving to consultant to AD in 1 year. Fingers crossed for you!

 

[annew]

Amazing advice from ALL!!!!!!!!! I thank you all so much. I haven't been on the phone, I've been working my computer/email/social networks like crazy, but I've been avoiding the phone due to my own insecurities. I now realize those insecurities are what's going to cost me Disney. I'll be picking up that phone tomorrow and thanking you all for the encouragement to do so!!!!!!!!!!!

<3 Darcy

Darcy I'm right there with you!!!! We can do it

 

[Chef Kearns]

Darcy, I'm glad you found the motivation to work towards your goal!! The thing that's going to get you there is to make the phone calls. That's going to get the dates on your calendar. The virtual connections are great and they definitely help break the ice, but you've GOT to call them to make it solid.

I know you can do it!! Just so you see that you're not in a bad spot I still need 9276 points to earn Level 2!! I'm not giving up and you shouldn't either!!

 

[dannyzmom]

Hey Darcy...just a reminder for today GET ON THE PHONE!!! IT'LL BE WORTH IT, I SWEAR!!!

 

[OhmyDLM]

Ok ok, still haven't picked up that phone and I'm afraid I'm loosing it.... And then I log on and find all these wonderful messages from all of you! I HAVE TO TRY! THE PHONE IS NOT MY ENEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[finley1991]

Go for it darcy!!!!!

 

[woodysir]

I am not a phone person but what has really helped me to acheive trips is to give everyone i come in contact with a catalog and a order form and ask them if they would bring it back to the office and try to get a few orders. I always give a catalog with a order form to everyone at my show at the full service checkout also to see if they can gather some extra orders for their friend the host or for themselves. I always ask where they work and if anyone does take a catalog I run home and put them in my pampered partner as a online show!! My online show sales are usually over $10,000 each year from doing this. But especially right now don't be stingy with the catalogs!! HIT THE STORES THIS WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING!! I WILL BE OUT OF COURSE ON BLACK FRIDAY IN FULL LOGO GEAR WORKIN IT !! Remember to be quick when asking and jot down and email address if you meet them at store. At the show you will get all that info!! Good luck !!

 

[baychef]

kitchendivakathy...I am certainly listening to you...only 10 posts but 13 thank you's!!! I will listen when you talk!!!

Oh, and Darcy......GET ON THE PHONE!!

 

[OhmyDLM]

THANKYOU EVERYONE!

So I'm going to break it down here in hopes of making myself accountable...

I need 15,829 points to earn Disney Level 2

I have signed 5 new team members since last month that need to qualify. I'm honestly not sure that they all will before December ends, but I must commit to providing them with some personal training in hope of encouraging them to do so! This would give me 10,000 more points bringing my points needed to 5,829.

I have 1000 worth of sales already this month that haven't been submitted, bringing my points needed to 4,829.

I have two more shows this weekend that I'm hoping to bring in about another 1000 points - leaving 3,829 points.

I have three shows scheduled for December and am more than willing to add more to my calendar. I also have some potential November catalog shows going on right now, I say potential because they need some more host coaching from me to actually pan out, but the interest is there. Sooooo, basically, I need to hope for the 5 recruits to qualify and for myself to come up with the other 4000 points needed on my own!

I can do this, I'm just so freaking afraid of that phone, I keep coming up with excuse after excuse to not pick it up. I'm never prepared enough, or never have enough time, blah blah blah. It's all in my head and I'm struggling to overcome it!!!

 

[baychef]

You can only overcome it by picking it up and dialing!! Do it for Mickey!!

 

[OhmyDLM]

Ok, so I picked up the phone tonight and GUESS WHAT!!! Three more shows added to my calendar for December! Plus several messages that I'm hoping to get a call back on. It was well worth the effort to get over that fear, I'm just so out of practice after taking 3 months off. It felt good to get that past me!!!! Thanks everyone for the motivation

<3 Darcy

 

[dannyzmom]

Ok, so I picked up the phone tonight and GUESS WHAT!!! Three more shows added to my calendar for December! Plus several messages that I'm hoping to get a call back on. It was well worth the effort to get over that fear, I'm just so out of practice after taking 3 months off. It felt good to get that past me!!!! Thanks everyone for the motivation

<3 Darcy

Now if THAT'S not a motivator to keep picking up the phone, then I don't know what is.
WAY TO GO DARCY!!
I am proud of you!
Keep on keeping on!!!

 

[pamperedbecky]

Wow, Darcy, way to go!!!! That's great!! And it's inspiration for ME to get on the phone, too!!!! Keep on going!

 

[chefkathy]

Great job! I need some December (and January) shows. To the phones!

 

[Chef Kearns]

Good Job, Darcy!!! Just keep going!! Remember to host coach them to $1000 shows! Getting the bookings is only the first step. (This is coming from someone who learned the hard way)

 

[OhmyDLM]

Good Job, Darcy!!! Just keep going!! Remember to host coach them to $1000 shows! Getting the bookings is only the first step. (This is coming from someone who learned the hard way)

Goodness, this is FANTASTIC advice! I really struggle with that aspect of my business. I've got to tell you, the absolute craziest thing happened at my show today, 5 PEOPLE BOOKED FOR DECEMBER! 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And all from different circles. As of right now I have a show on December 1st, 2nd, 5th, my Mega Show on the 6th with 6 confirmed hosts so far, 8th, 9th, 10th, & the 12th. That makes....... 13 shows for December! Not one of which has their host packets yet (after not working for three months I don't have any supplies and am in desperate need to place an order).

I have another show tomorrow and I'm worried about whether or not I should add more shows to December or just call it quits with what I have. As it is, I see myself mentally and physically exhausted, (I have a 15 month old at home as well to take care of - oh, and a husband as well hahaha). But I want Disney so bad for my family, I'm thinking about sacrificing my sanity, just makes me a litte nervous as I'm also 15 weeks pregnant, so there's a little more to worry about by doing that.

As for now, I think I probably need to just start focussing on the host coaching, because I know your right, I've booked them, but will they hold? And will they be successful? That's whats important right!

 

[Chef Kearns]

That is amazing news Darcy!!! Thirteen shows?! Wow!! You are on your way!! Now, time to get busy!!

 

[OhmyDLM]

Ok, so I did that show today and walked away with 1 MORE booking for December so add the 7th to my list. Wow... I've got some work to do! The others booked for January!!!