Ode to Direct Sales: My Life as a Stylist

3.28.2014






Jeans/Cardigan/Boots: Old Navy, Shirt: LOFT, 
Necklaces: Stella & Dot Rebel and Trinity, Bracelets: Stella & Dot Christina and Eden

When I stumbled upon Stella & Dot, I really didn't know what I was getting into. To be honest, I just wanted this bracelet. Like I wanted it bad. I'd been cyber stalking it on Pinterest and other fashion blogs for a year and I REALLY wanted it. I know you've seen it before. It's everywhere.

So basically I wanted to get this bracelet. I had a friend who use to be a Stella & Dot Stylist, but her life got a little crazy busy and she was no longer active. This left me with no one to buy the bracelet from. Okay - not a big deal. I can just order it online right? Okay but so here is the thing... I of course found like three other things I wanted. Pretty soon I was looking at $150 in jewelry I was about to buy, and then I saw the stylist opportunity. Sign up for $199 and get $350 in jewelry. Huh...so if I spend $49 more (on jewelry I already want) than I was about to already spend anyways...you  mean I get like double the jewelry? Okay, I am a smart enough business woman to realize this makes sense. I'll sign up. You got me. I'm gonna get my jewelry and then if I never sell anything that's okay. No big deal. No need to put a bunch of pressure on myself.

From there I kind of just fell into the business. They make everything really easy. You are coached to do your first four shows with different circles of people so you meet new people at each one, and if you follow those steps you should make your investment back in the first month. After that, anything extra is additional income you wouldn't have had before.

When I first started, I nervous that selling jewelry might be difficult. I was worried my friends might not love it as much as I do, or that meeting new people would be hard. But the truth is - other women love jewelry, fashion, and an excuse to get together just as much as I do! And once people feel the jewels, unzip the wallets, layer on a scarf, or load their belongings into one of our bags they are totally sold. You can feel the quality. The weight of the jewelry is amazing. And it is durable, and backed by our delight guarantee so if you ever experience a problem with it, Stella & Dot will make it right. You really can't beat that.

I work a full time day job, so I don't have time during the day to work on it at all. I take a few minutes before I get to work to post a picture to facebook, respond to some emails, etc. And then I come home and hang out with Husband and Wilbur. I typically do my shows on the weekend, and occasionally a week night. I get together with fabulous groups of women, help them pick out their favorite pieces, and I make new friends. Actually a ton of new friends! It has really helped me get out of my shell and improved my public speaking. It's also made me more social in general. I am hosting so many get togethers at my house in the next few months with my friends whereas before I was always so nervous to have people over, thinking my house had to be PERFECT or I couldn't possibly do it! I've earned thousands (yes, thousands) of dollars in free jewelry, I've made thousands (yes, again thousands) of dollars in commissions. And I am really loving every minute of it.

This post isn't about convincing you to join Stella & Dot (although if you are interested I would love to have you on my team), but telling you sometimes it's good to just say yes to an opportunity. Even if it seems totally crazy at the time. You never know what could be waiting on the other side. It could be something that really helps you grow and discover a new part of yourself. And if you haven't ever run your own business, there is something so liberating and exciting about directing your own career. I highly recommend it.

At the center of all this happiness and success is a wonderful group of women. These are the ladies of Stella & Dot who welcomed me and ushered me into this great community, my friends and family who let me gab about jewelry all the time and who are willing to wear whatever handful of jewels I thrust at them because I just KNOW it's going to look amazing on them, all the amazing friends who have joined my growing team, and all the wonderful new women I have met that are my loving and loyal customers. My cup runneth over! Thank you all so much for supporting me in this amazing new adventure!

PS I think this is my longest post EVER. Did you make it to the end?

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