#GoRedGetFit: Why it's My New CatchPhrase

I’ve been overweight most (maybe all) of my adult life.  However I made it to the big 5-0 with no health issues which seems to be a biggie in this day and age, so I gave myself a pat on the back: overweight but fairly healthy sounded good to me.   But I also recognized that each annual doctor’s visit met with an “almost” condition: diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.  I seemed to be just skirting unhealthy.

Several years ago a close relative developed a serious heart condition.  She had several heart attacks in her 50s before being diagnosed with a rare, but probably genetic, condition.  I listed and took note of her data, but still rationalized that if she had it, then my chances were lower (backwards logic, I know) because she was the 1 in 5 that our family would produce.

Shortly upon beginning this school year, a member of a board I serve on called to inform me that another member had passed away of a heart attack.  At first I heard the name wrong and was trying to figure out who it was.  Once we hung up it hit me – it was the other mom like me: overweight, but seemingly “healthy.” Our kids attend(ed) high school together.  Hugging her 17 year old daughter at her service was one of the most emotionally difficult things I’ve ever done.  What if my 19 year old daughter was in her position?  What about my 11 year old daughter, and my two teenage sons?  Her husband seemed to be functioning and “getting through” but I hopefully suspect that in these situations someone gives the deeply grieved person a drug to help them get through the public portion of mourning.  Would my husband hold up as well?

With a heavy heart I turned inward to face some realities. I haven’t skied in the past 2 years because 3 years ago I felt so winded on a long run.  My wrist monitor (Gear Fit 2) keeps telling me my heart rate is “higher than above average resting range.”  I’m sleepy in the afternoons and sometimes even take an hour nap.  None of this is acceptable to me at 50. 

I researched my heart rate being so high and found that I need to elevate my heart rate daily for 15 minutes or more to get my resting rate lower.  The heart is a muscle and needs to be exercised to strengthen.  Not new facts to me, but new in that I am now applying these facts to myself.

My baby steps to a healthy heart:

• ·         Elevate my heart rate at least 5x/week.  I’ve chosen running which is a walk with some running for me, but I will progress to a higher run to walk ratio with practice.
• ·         Greatly reduce sugar.
• ·         Approach daily calories of 1850 to lose weight
• ·         12,000 steps daily are a minimum (including my run)
• ·         Spread that word about heart disease among women

What do you think ladies?  Have you looked at yourselves and the strength of your heart lately?  I’m planning on running (mostly walking) in the Ugly Sweater Run in Hartford on December 3.  Who’s going to join me? Join me at The Ugly Sweater Run Hartford: December 3, 2016  https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=37905451

Why My 11 Year Old has an Iphone

So here goes: a load of Justification and Excuses

My 11 year old has siblings who are 19, 18 and 16 so this is not my first time deliberating the pros and cons of allowing a child a cell phone.  Incredibly, technology has advanced rapidly since I first gave my oldest her pay-as-you-go non-smart phone.

My parenting philosophy leans toward the “Free Range” style with a large dose of technologically strict thrown in the mix.

This year I’ve decided to do some substitute teaching.  My 11 year old gets out of school at 2:15, earlier than any school in the district in which I sub.  Conveniently, the town library is just two buildings away from her school, so the plan is for her to be dismissed with the walkers and get herself to the library.  Once there, mom would appreciate a text that she has arrived in the library.  We’ve already done a trial run on a day I didn’t work and everything went smoothly.  She’s looking forward to doing it again.

I am a decidedly Samsung Galaxy gal, but my family is mixed thus we had an unused iPhone 5c in the home.  For the cost of a SIM card and an additional $10/mo. her line is up and running (T-Mobile).

One of the things I did once I group messaged my immediate family with her phone number was to inquire among her older siblings what rules they think I should enforce.  The two oldest just recently escaped our fortress as they are enjoying their 2^nd and 3^rd years at college. Who better to ask? So here are the rules compiled between them and me:

• ·         The phone does not go to school unless it’s a day Mom is working
• ·         The phone stays on the 1^st floor in our home (bedrooms are upstairs)
• ·         The phone has time limits which prevent contact with anyone but immediate family after 9pm .
• ·         Data is turned OFF (I call and have this done at the T-Mobile level, I don’t care that I’m paying for data, she doesn’t need it).  When home she can use our wi-fi , which has parental controls. 
• ·         Social networking sites are forbidden (including, but not limited to: Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Thankfully, she’s an active girl and as long as I remember not to set a bad example, she’ll continue to show no indication of being glued to her phone. 

Hopefully, some of my points can help you in your decision to allow a middle school age child a cell phone.  The tipping point for me has always been when they are old enough to be unsupervised and practice some independence. 

...And since this is my Norwex blog: yes, she's already hooked on the Optic Scarf for keeping the screen spotless without using chemicals (that leave a slight film residue and then ATTRACT fingerprints and dust)!

School Supply list Overload! 4 Tips to Keep the Cost Down When Buying School Supplies

Back to school and crazy long school supply lists have hit our inboxes. Here are some tips I’ve learned over the years:

1. Buy the basic version and stock up!

The notebook on sale for $0.50? The pack of glue sticks for $0.10? Grab a handful and toss into your cart. If you’re picky about certain things, splurge (but then don’t complain about the price).  Personally I’m a pencil snob – Ticonderoga for me please.  For example, I buy the cheapest folders for $0.05 each then replace them 2 or 3 times a year and I’ve still spent less than $1.00 on folders.  The pretty, shiny ones are $1.99 and still end up pulling apart mid-year.  Surveying ads from several big box stores, I find pencils, pens, erasers, crayons, note books, composition books, index cards, glue sticks, pencil boxes and folders all at super low prices. So my kid doesn’t have fancy desk supplies – they can learn to make do.

2. Review the list for items you have at home

I already have a calculator and rolls of tape.  We saved several notebooks from last year that only had a few pages used.  Put a white address label over the “SPELLING” label on the front and it’s good to go for a new year where it can become “MATH” now. This year my daughter really thought I was going to buy her new earbuds for school, hah! I have a basket of those at home.  She showed me one with a bit of earwax in it – I showed her where we keep the q-tips and toothpicks so she could clean them.

3. When on clearance, buy more!

Although I hate to grab clearance items just because the price is so low, stationary items will come in handy.  I have several notebooks with cool, fancy covers, some even are that “M” brand (!) and since I picked them up on clearance they are waiting for this year.  See, my kids do get some of the fancy stuff!

There will be a big clearance a few weeks after school has begun.  After that just scan those Clearance endcaps occasionally and don’t pass up the school supplies just because you have enough for this year.

4. Give-a, Get-a

If you do find that you’ve accumulated 20 glue sticks, send some extra in for the teacher to distribute to kids who may have forgotten (I’m begin NICE) to get theirs.  Teachers will also take extra craft supplies off your hands happily!  I was a major scrapbooker for years, and after a long hiatus, I wanted new supplies.  My daughter’s 4^th Grade teacher was thrilled with all my papers and stickers that her students could use.

Conversely, everything is not required. I do not use hand sanitizer (I speak with the teacher every year and give permission for my special snowflake to use soap & water in the classroom sink to wash her hands), so I don’t send any in.  I think it’s bad for the environment and for our health.  I’ll send in extra tissues though!

When they throw something weird at you, don’t sweat it.  I recall searching high & low for “2^nd Grade Composition book” and “3 Subject Notebook with Pocket dividers.”  The first I found, the second, I sent in a 5 subject with pockets and called it a day.

Open Letter to Facebook Friends during Election Season

Dear Facebook Friend,

I really like you in person.  Some of you are family, neighborhood friends, old high school classmates or that rare person who I met at one time and we became friends on FB. You surprise me when you like a post and I’m reminded that you’re in my circle.  Maybe one of your kids went to preschool with one of mine?  Maybe we chatted weekly at the beach? Maybe we worked together in the early ‘90s?   A few of you I’ve only met virtually, but over the years I feel like we’ve become close (mostly that’s my group of Ebay selling Moms that I met as we were all home with young kids and found Ebay selling as an outlet from the daily grind of diapers and food prep.)

As you post pictures of your children, vacations and anything you find beautiful, I’m right there to click “like” and give some positive comments.  You in turn support me and compliment me every time I change my profile photo. This social experiment has brought out the best in us with encouragement and positivity.

And then a Presidential Election looms…you just posted a meme calling another adult an idiot, liar, Nazi, evil incarnate. You became overly dramatic as you are worried that one candidate poses “danger” and claim to be “scared” if he/she wins the election.  You pretend to understand that the media has manipulated the 2 party system to falsely pit neighbor against neighbor, yet you continue to share images that are incredibly divisive.  You take one person’s single statement and claim that represents they are entirely on one side of the political spectrum (opposite you).  You make that one tame statement into something that represents hate of all that is right and good in this nation. 

The image that your Facebook activity creates of you has changed from that loving, kind person I know to a righteous, dramatic, opinionated antagonist.

During the past few months I’ve clicked on “Hide this Post” followed by “see less from Jane Doe” many times.  I miss your happy times and your funny rants.  If I waited one too many times before unfollowing you, my impression of you has been irrevocably damaged.

Please think before you post or “like” something. Everything you “like” pops up on my feed. If you are like me, your circle of friends is wide and varied. This variety encourages thoughtful discussions and exchanges of ideas.  Unfortunately most of what I see lacks thought or civil discourse. 

Sincerely,

Carol

My Norwex 16 month Check Up

Happy 16 months to me!  If my job were a baby, it’d be walking, talking and growing by leaps and bounds every day.  My career needs some remedial help then!  Not really, I’ve let it take a backseat when I need to, which works right for me.  This summer (hey, I was in “summer” mind set by May) I’ve neglected my business and this blog.  Although I’ve not neglected constantly analyzing the successes and failures I’ve and others have had in the direct selling marketplace.

Three other family members and five friends have all begun direct selling businesses since I’ve been into Norwex.  Has my blog helped?  I hope so!  But I want to get REAL and explain some of the details of this business. Even as I watch my friends post like crazy about their business, I wonder about their expectations and disappointments

.

PRO: Direct Selling offers an outlet for many of us at home (whether w/children, unemployed, or retired) that drives our schedules and encourages us positively.  We get to focus on something outside of our families, socialize and feel confident we are providing a desired service.

CON: There will be backlash. One reason I slowed down was that I don’t want to be “Carol, the Norwex Lady” unless I’m at a vendor event.  I want to be “Carol, my friend…who also sells Norwex offering awesome environmentally safe products.” Income varies from minimal to modest.  Yes, some leaders are earning into the high $60,000s BUT they are working many, many hours.  One of my friends pointed out that for that income; you can work a standard sales job and still have regular hours and health benefits.

   Yes! I'll host a party!              I'll come to your party!                             No! I Shop at Walmart!

 There’s a spectrum of attitudes that range from “Yes, I’d love to host a party” to “please remove me from this group and don’t ever try to sell me anything…ever….I mean it….”  Now the person on the left (of my spectrum only, I am making absolutely zero political correlations) understands that by host

ing a party she will receive gobs of free product for little work.  Maybe she wants to try out Norwex, has been to a party and just doesn’t want to spend money at this time. Hosting is definitely the way to go!  The person on the right thinks they are avoiding a scam/pyramid scheme but they are actually just supporting “the man” (yes, an allusion from the ‘60s).  The reason similar products may be selling for lower prices range from child labor to negligent production facilities to simple poor quality. 

During my time with Norwex I’ve often considered how long I’d stick with it and I’ve decided to stick it out another 6 months at least.  My expectations  of rapid growth were not met, but the ability to work on a flexible schedule, focus my days (when even my youngest in in school all day), and enjoy a greater purpose just for me have been met.  My disappointment in the few products I did not love, the fact that my business did not take off and taxes (ugh! I have to track every little widget!)  are manageable and give me knowledge to set realistic goals for my next 6 months.

How to Get Me to Buy your Direct Sales Widget

Direct Selling Ethics Promote Positive Sales

As a Norwex Independent Sales Consultant I enjoy using my connections with friends and family in the direct selling (DM) marketplace to try new products and support other women entrepreneurs.  I understand the work involved in successfully maintaining a DS business and usually find new products that are truly superior in quality.  I don’t expect reciprocity, but it’s nice when it happens. However, the one thing that will cause me not to buy your product: bashing other companies.

This prevalent practice of putting down your competition is nothing new in marketing, but when it’s taken onto your social media it represents YOU, it is an insult to your consumer who may use some things from the brand you are bashing.  And it just makes you look bad.  Seeing someone post negative comments about other companies (for example: “Buda Jewelry is not as green as you think!”) forces 2 thoughts to come to mind:

1. Is your product so lackluster that it cannot stand on its own merits?  I believe wholeheartedly in Norwex and will show it off all I can.  I don’t need to promote other companies’ shortcomings to make Norwex look good.

2. You must think I’m pretty dumb and won’t do my own research.  When you attack a company that I’ve been happy with for years, you bet I’m going to verify your post.  It usually turns out that your post is media hype and factually incorrect. So, now I’m losing trust in anything you say.

Let’s keep it positive and support one another rather than tear each other down.  In my example, I was trying products from you, but once you attacked Buda Jewelry you hurt my feelings toward your brand.  See, my Buda lady is someone I’ve known and trusted for 20 years, I don’t even wear much jewelry, but she’s been such a sweetheart and help to me, that when she runs a special I buy a gift from her.  And as it turns out Buda is exactly as environmentally friendly as it claims to be.

This general essay segues directly to questions many new Norwex consultants pose on a closed discussion board we have: “My client wants to know if she can use ZippyClear detergent for her cloths, can she?” or “My customer has F-Cloths and wants to know the difference between them and our cloths. What do I tell her?” There are generally 1 or 2 replies that attack  ZippyClear or F-Cloth before someone with more sales savvy appears with good advice basically covering:

1.    Our cloths are not magical fibers that disintegrate if not washed in filler-free detergent. (If they were, I wouldn’t be selling them. It’s unrealistic to think every customer is going to convert their entire household to Norwex, even though we have.) The Microfiber Care sheet that must be distributed with each purchase bans bleach, fabric softener and dryer sheets.  It states “Use Norwex UPP for best results.”  That’s it! Yes, I love UPP, but if my neighbor uses Wave detergent and asks me if it’s OK, I will not point out the carcinogens in Wave.  I will kindly explain why I prefer UPP, but let her know she can continue to use Wave (she told me she LOVES the scent, I know: ewwww ).  If she were to question more about what “filler-free” or “enzyme based” means, I’ll continue with a positive explanation.  So in short, when Cathy Customer asks if All-Tempa-Happy is Ok to use on her cloths, don’t reply: “Oh my, did you know that All-Tempa-Happy is one of the most toxic items in your home?  It could kill your children and pets!”  As my mother always said: You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

2.      The same could be said for the devoted F-Cloth user.  Obviously respond with what Norwex HAS (silver!) instead of what F-Cloth lacks.  Some customers will grill you and try to get you riled. Respond calmly: “I cannot speak to the merits of another company’s products, I am an expert on Norwex and can tell factually and definitively what our products guarantee.”  If they continue badgering: “You can check with your F-Cloth consultant with those questions.” (ha, ha…that was snarky because F-Cloth doesn’t offer personal care consultants, like we do).

People want to come to their own conclusions.  Often a discussion of detergent or other household cleaning staples WILL bring about more and more questions until the customer makes a revelation on their own.  That customer will become a devoted Norwex user.  The one who felt just a little belittled because she mentioned her love of Clorop Wipes will shy away from you after a courtesy purchase. She wants to feel validated in her choices, not ridiculed.

Can you Really Make Money Selling Norwex? Confessions from a non-salesperson who is in Direct Sales

Happy 2016!  Typing those numbers seems unbelievable to those of us who fully remember the 1970’s & 1980’s when the looming year 2000 seemed like something out of science fiction. Last year I made the jump into direct-selling and began this blog originally to chronicle my experience.  As I review my first 9 months with Norwex I’ll share what I’ve learned in a series of articles.

Skepticism!  Can you really make money selling Norwex?  Is this business model (party style) relevant in today’s marketplace?

• Yes, you really can make money selling Norwex and Yes, the business model provides plenty of room to adapt to our internet based social media marketplace.

Making Money

First, let me state that no matter how corny it sounds, making money is secondary (for me) to spreading the Norwex mission of reducing toxins in our homes. Before Norwex nothing could cripple me as much as a trip to the cleaning aisle in the grocery store.  What would really work? What would eat up the surface I was attempting to clean?  Is the higher price indicative of higher quality? How did people 50 years ago clean this? (We have quite a few antiques in our home, mostly 1940’s era). The Norwex solution ended my quest and gave me the perfect solution based on solid, time-tested principles.

On to the money…Norwex offers a flat 35% commission of retail price.  I still need to buy all of my office supplies including catalogs beyond a small batch upon start-up. They give us shopping bags and Microfiber care inserts free.  Norwex generously rewards consultants and hosts with product which is helpful to use as demonstration products and giveaway/contest/promotional items. 

Let’s take a typical home party of mine. 

• Product Sales = $450  
• Commission = $157.5
• Value of consultant incentives = $10 (this is not direct cash as the gifts are cumulative ie.) sell $750 this month and receive X, plus you earn points toward annual and quarterly rewards
• Estimate Catalog/Order Form expense = $5
• Other Promotional Expenses = $5 (sometimes I buy sample bottles, envelopes, etc. and I want to be as honest as possible in this breakdown.

Time & Effort: I still spend a good 3-4 hours preparing for a party when I consider phone calls & emails to my host, preparing my handouts, games & give-aways and arriving early for setup.  More experienced consultants may have a better formula but I’ve found that as soon as I had a formula for guests entirely new to Norwex, I had to tweak my plan for a party including those already familiar with the company. If anything I’m over-estimating but again, I want to be fully transparent.

• So the total is still $157.50 commission and we’ll divide that over 5 hours or work (prep time and party time) and that equals $31.50/hour. 

Pretty good for a job where I dictate my hours and I get to socialize and meet new people while discussing improving all of our environments!

How is a Party Style Sales model received in 2016?

We are social creatures and no matter how we spend our days, most of us feel best when personally connected face-to-face with others.  The Norwex model encourages authentic communication as we educate consumers.  Back in the ‘90’s I had my first experiences with sales based parties.  I usually felt uncomfortable at some point and always felt obligated to buy something.  To be honest, almost everything I bought, I did really like!  But that uncomfortable part….when you’re feeling pressured to host a party or play a goofy game…I shudder.  Thankfully Norwex applies no such pressure.  Will I demonstrate how our products work? Yes.  Will I explain some of the perks for hosting a party and becoming a consultant? Yes.  Will I pressure you to host or play a game where the person who picks the “Party” ticket MUST host a party?  NO!  You may come to a party, contradict me with your love of commercial cleaners or vinegar and baking soda.  You will still get a sample product and I have a feeling you may contact me in a couple of weeks to place an order. Today’s Norwex parties are fun social gatherings and often have another theme going on whether it’s cookie swap, book group or just work-friends social hour.

However website sales, Facebook parties and vendor events constitute at least 60% of my sales. 

 

Norwex offers their Office Suite (which means website hosting) so I have a website www.CarolDavis.Norwex.biz where anyone can place an order.  I haven’t had unknown contacts place orders but I receive orders from friends, family and those who have been to one of my parties or vendor events.

Facebook parties are run as an event and usually have an email-party option for those not on Facebook.  These events require less time and yield the same results as a live party.  Knowledge is shared, interested is piqued and orders are placed.  My expenses in time and catalogs are less (although I mail a large packet to the host and mail the prizes won) and my rewards are great as I’ve reached people that may not be able to physically get to a live party.

I attended 3 Vendor events this fall with a mix of results.  The most important thing I learned about these events is that once you’re in – you have dibs for next year’s event.  So even though I didn’t have much success at event #2, I’ll have right of first refusal next year.  And events’ #1 and #3 are guaranteed for me!  There is the expense of the table space (between $25-$100 in my area) and sometimes a donation to a raffle (my vendor event #3 required a minimum $25 raffle item). Vendor events require more time and a little higher expense plus you need to have some inventory to sell for cash & carry.  However, when you hit it right, you get connections galore for future customers, hosts and consultants.  If you can afford to invest in your business, Vendor events can be the ticket to expansion!.

Next Week: How Hard do I have to work?