WAHM Forums

smileys/smiley1.gifFirst of all - hello! I am new to these boards, and have pretty much been posting in the "Join The Discussion" area, so if I haven't "met" you yet, my name is Crissy. I have A LOT of questions, and this will probably be a loooong post. So thanks up front for bearing with me.


Basically, I have already been working at home for a couple years now (with Mela). I'm not quitting that, nor am I trying to recruit anyone with this post. I just wanted to let you know a little about me.


I have recently moved from MI to AK, where I know no one. I love scrapbooking and there are no scrapbooking stores here. I was thinking about joining a scrapbooking co, just to get the discount and to have supplies available.Plus - I was also thinking about selling pre-made albums, etc. My Mom, and my sister and her family are thinking of moving to AK next year. My sister and Mom have been talking to me about opening up a scrapbook shop when they get here.


I don't wantto put all my eggs in a basket,because I don'tknow if they will really move here. I have done some investigating with wholesalers and it is a lotto get started, even if I did it just online at first.I figure I will wait until they get here before I start taking all of that on.....


So that leads me back to a scrapbooking party plan. I have always balked at the idea of a party plan before. I mean, I've been w/ Mela, so I've been able to recruit online (and ALL of my org is from online), I've never had to worry about order forms or catalogs or getting someone to host a party, etc.


But I guess with technology brings progress and there are some scrapbooking party plans that allow you to recruit online and you can even have online parties, etc. So, basically, what I'd like to know is how do all of you work your business? Are you all doing the more "traditional" route and going to someone's house for a party and to recruitor are you using the technology that is now available? And how do you let people know about online parties, etc?


I guess I just am flustered at all of this, and a warm market does not exist for me. I just moved 4,000 miles away from home and I don't want to join a company and get stuck making a quota. Please give me any advice you can think of!

wow - it shows the number of people that have looked at this - and so far it is 50, and no one has responded... maybe I was too long winded w/ the prev mssg, but basically, I was just asking if you experienced party plan ladiesthink I can be successful in a party plan when I live in a new town that is far away from home (and I have zero party plan experience)

Crissy,

You definitely can make it work, if you are determined to do it!
I had never done a party plan before I joined BYB and I never thought
that I would, but I absolutely love it and it is going SO well!
It won't be as easy for you to get started, since you can't convince
your friends and family to host parties for you, but if you are willing
to do some leg work you can succeed in this type of business.



You will have to market yourself to the right people, which will mean
talking to everyone you see and bringing up your business(if you are
waiting in line at the bank, stike up a conversation with the woman in
line in front of you and guide that conversation to
scrapbooking). This will be a great thing to start right
away(start asking people if there is anywhere to buy scrapbooking
supplies in the area, if there are any scrapbooking consultants in the
area, etc.--when they say no, tell them you have been thinking about
starting a scrapbooking business and would they like you to contact
them when you do?).



You will also want to find different women's groups you can become a
member of, like a reading club, bible study, toast masters group,
etc. It is going to be entirely up to you to get out and network
with other women to find hosts and customers.



I am sure that you can do this, if you are excited and passionate about it! Good luck!

Thanks Sarah! You gave me some good ideas! And I LOVE your signature - that crayon is too cute!

wow - it shows the number of people that have
looked at this - and so far it is 50, and no one has responded... maybe
I was too long winded w/ the prev mssg, but basically, I was just
asking if you experienced party plan ladiesthink I can be
successful in a party plan when I live in a new town that is far away
from home (and I have zero party plan experience)



Regarding zero party plan experience...everyone was a beginner at some point! :)



Can you have a successful party plan when you live far from home and
don't know many pple there, YES! My creative memories consultant
started when she lived in Alaska! They have since moved back to
the midwest, and her business is still going. I love her to piecessmileys/smiley1.gif

You can do it if you love it!! Online and offline business is there if you work it!


Chris smileys/smiley1.gif

Thanks!!smileys/smiley1.gifI'm going to go for it!

Crissy,


Love the idea for the pre-made albums!


With a party plan,you have many options such as fairs/festivals, open houses, etc. I bet there are home business owners in your small AK town who are looking for ways to get the word out about their businesses. Once you decide on yours, do some research on fairs in your local area, try to locate other home biz owners and if there are no fairs, set one up! You can make it work and I imagine those in the Corporate world are very busy and would appreciate the opportunity to have pre-made albums to purchasesmileys/smiley2.gif


As for online parties, there is a forum hereto discussthose or you can do a search at the very top of the message boards for online parties, take a look at the past messages that come up and see if those answer your online party questions. I love online parties and online vendor eventssmileys/smiley32.gif


Best Wishes on your decision.


PS.


My stepdaughter and her hubby live in Anchorage.