Saturday, April 12, 2008

I quit

Seriously, I never imagined it would be this hard to do a home party business. I lived with a girl who did Avon for awhile and it didn't seem to be this much work to get people interested. Sheesh.

I had an open house today. Granted I probably could have been a little better about advertising and letting people know earlier, but still, I had a good list and I had 1 (ONE) person show up.

At this point I'm about ready to just pull the plug. I've been going for 6 months and haven't even broken even. It just looks like a giant money sink hole when it was supposed to be supplemental income that we needed.

I guess I promised I'd give it a year, but I'm definitely not spending any more money on it. If I don't break even with the Christmas sales I'm done. I can stay "active" by placing one order a year and I'll probably do that just to get the toys for Cory and gifts, but otherwise it's becoming just another thing hanging over my head that I have to do.

Lesson learned I suppose: I'm not a salesperson, especially on my own.

5 comments:

  1. I hear ya..when I sell things I always feel like I'm selling ice to an eskimo. You gave it a good try.

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  2. Anonymous11:09 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear that! Is there some way you could incorporate your blog with your business? Could you advertise and sell products from here?

    I give you credit, though. I'm not social enough to arrange for a home party.

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  3. Anonymous3:44 PM

    Hi Krista - I found your blog whiles searching for "home party business" and read this post and really wanted to reach out.

    I have been with a home party business (also selling toys but different ones I think!) for 9 years. It can be discouraging if you don't get the results you hope for, but it is important to do everything your company tells you to do.

    For us that means personally inviting people (as in on the phone or in person) and following up with reminder phone calls the night before (even if they swear they are coming) - basically letting them know you care that they come and keeping in touch with them. Even when you are the hostess, it's important to do all the hostess coaching steps for it to be a success. No amount of fliers or postcards or other passive advertising works better!

    It sounds like you could use some support in your business. Does your upline help or can she give you some guidelines? I have found the best training and support comes from the Direct Selling Women's Alliance. Successful women in direct sales share their tips so you don't have to reinvent the wheels. There is a link to them on my homepage.

    I love how flexible working a party plan business can be but it is definitely "work" and it's great to learn the secrets from those who know.

    I wish you the best of luck - hang in there! Like I said follow your training plan, do the things that work (calling and seeing the people) and then after even a few weeks of doing that I know you will see success!
    Karen Clark
    Story Time Felts

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  4. Anonymous7:57 PM

    Krista, sooo sorry-- it sounds sooo discouraging. I know I probably would have cried. I was really glad to see the post right before mine, though-- it's so nice that she took all the time to write you and encourage you. Maybe in a week or two you can think about it objectively and make a decision. If it's not costing you too much I would stick in their a little longer-- lots of things take a while to get good at (and selling stuff IS hard!)

    love
    Allison

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  5. Anonymous6:51 PM

    Oy vey. I have been approached by a few people, trying to get me into this home-sales/network marketing thing. I know that I would be no good at it because I don't care enough about it.
    Send me back into a classroom with a pack of rowdy 12 year olds anyday!

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