WAHM Forums

I'm sure this has been posted before but I must say it since I just started using the program. One reason I was hesitant at signing up with BeautiControl was because I wasn't sure how the whole tax situation would work being an an independent consultant. I heard about this program at my monthly meeting and had to tell you all about it...even though I'm sure most of you already use it. It is called Consultant Office and it has the answers to all of my tax related questions. It was a little hard to figure out at first, but it imports all of my beautinet orders so I don't have to type them in and keeps track of my inventory as I post my invoices after sales. It also keeps track of my clients similiar to client connection on Beautinet. It allows me to log in other expenses such as ink cartridges or spa invitation, etc. It lets you keep track of your mileage. And the best part is...it hasa button that you can click on to get quarterly and annual statements that takes all of the information from above and more that you type in and you just print it out and take it to your accountant. Taxes done! It lists all expenses, gifts, demo products, etc. and states whether you have a loss or a gain. I can't say enough good things about it. If you don't already have something in place for your orders check it out. It is $9.95 a month to use the service and it is free to try for the first 30 days. If you decide to try it, type in my email address they gave me when I signed up because I think I get something for referring people. Just wanted to say how great it was...anybody use any other programs that are equivalent? If so I'd like to hear about them also!

spawithrachelle@consultantoffice.com (spawithrachelle@consultantoffice.com)

I personally use NutShell. You can go to wwwblueflute.com and view a powerpoint presentation, and download it for free. I love that it was designed by a BC consultant, and for a BC consultant! You do not have to be online to use the system like these other programs. You can keep track of all of your clients and their history. You get these monthly updates that allow you to keep up with the new products and prices. When you ebter an invoice, you simply enter the item number of your product, ot just the first few characters of the name and it pops right up! It also helps you keep track of your mileage and expenses. And when you are ready for your taxes, you simply print your report and it is all there! I love it!

I also love their Tech Support. Glen and Linda are so great at helping out with problems, and at Celebration and Leadership, they even have classes to help you learn how to better use your program!

Are you going to Celebration? They usually have a booth there and offer some great discounts during Celebration! If you are intersted, but you are not going to Celebration, I could let you know what the special price is?

How much does NutShell cost per month?

Do any of you know if these programs are available in Canada? Do any Canadian consultants on the board use anything like this? I'd love to try something like it because I have nightmares about tax time..

You can get all the information you need at www.blueflute.com (http://www.blueflute.com). The pricing varies. If you are a new consultant, you get a generous discount. There are different packages that you can purchase, that include updates for about a year. After that, you just need to purchase your monthly updates to maintain it, and I think it is only like $40 for a year's worth of updates. But check out the website before you quote me on that. You can view a powerpoint presentation that shows you what the program can do for you, and download the system for free to see if you like it.

Let me know what you guys think, and if you are going to purchase it. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

I also use Nutshell and highly recommend it! I agree with spacrazy that Glen and Linda are the best! What I like most is the ability to track my client's ordering history at the touch of a button. There is a fabulous report which I can print that details by client and date, everything they have ordered. I have this with me at all times to make my follow up calls on my breaks and when stuck in rush hour traffic!

I also love the monthly newsletters they send out. They keep you updated with great ideas for your business, and how to make the program work the best for you. I've really gotten some great ideas from them!

I'm not going to Celebration but I would love to know what kind of NutShell discount they offered so maybe they would still give it to me.


Thanks

Jaclyn,
nutshell has a canadian version, you have to call them or email them so they can send you a canadian update and the instructions of how to download it as it is a bit different from the american program.

I too, use Consultant Office. I tried NutShell, but I just prefer Consultant Office. Unfortunately, there is no Canadian equivalent yet, but I think they are working on it.

One of the reasons I prefer Consultant Office is because you can access it from ANYWHERE with internet access. For example, when we are at Celebration, if I get a call from a client, I can let her know right then if I have something in stock, invoice her, send her a receipt and request payment! And it's a secure website, so no worrying about anyone getting your info!

I have been using Consultant Office for over a year, and I agree with everything rachellemarie said. One thingI'd like to add is that you can actually get it for less than $9.95 a month by paying for 6-12 months at once. They give you a discount.

It is updated each month with all the new BC products automatically, and you can import all your clients and inventory directly from BeautiNet - you just enter clients one place, and you can access them from both places! It includes email, and you can refer other people and get free months of service! It is very user friendly, and is in a Microsoft Windows-type format, so if you're familiar with a computer, it will be a piece of cake! There are also tutorials available.

If you'd like to try it for 30 days and see what you think, please let them know I referred you! My user name is: marieolson, and you can get your free trial by visiting www.consultantoffice.com (http://www.consultantoffice.com)

Good luck! Marie

So with both of these programs, you can track your inventory - is that correct? One is an internet based and the other is a program you load on your computer. Just trying to get the difference so I can see which one I would use more. I think I like the Consultant Office one becuase of it being internet based. That means I can use it while I am at work. SHHHH!http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

I have my Nutshell program on my laptop, so I can access it anywhere I go, too. But I am not always somewhere that I can access the internet. So that is one thing that I love about Nutshell, is that you don't have to be online to use it, and I can take my laptop to my spas and enter info right there.
And Nutshell also gives you free updates. You get one month free for every person you refer, (so let me know if you are going to do it http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif) Plus, it is not a monthly fee. You pay one time for the program, and you are set for the year. They do offer payment plans if that is easier for you, but after that year, it is just $40 for another year's worth of updates. That's pretty inexpensive. But I have to say that the personal support that Glen and Linda give you alone is worth it!

I am curious, though. What do you mean by 'downloading client and inventory info from beautinet'? How does that work

Ok. so the Consultant Office is $9.95 a month, for as long as you have the program - so never ending.

Is that correct?

Ok. so the Consultant Office is $9.95 a month, for as long as you have the program - so never ending.

Is that correct?

Unless you pay for 6 months or 12 months, yes. The monthly fee includes any updates, so you don't have to pay anything additional. I think it is very reasonable considering how easy it is to use, and the fact that you can use it anywhere. I don't have a laptop with me most of the time, so it is easy for me to just log in wherever and check my inventory.

These programs do serve the same same purpose. I think that it really depends on your styles and needs. If you are really trying to decide, I would check out the websites. They both have free downloads that you take a look at, and I know Nutshell has a powerpoint presentation that you could view. NutShell is at www.blueflute.com (http://www.blueflute.com) and I believe Consultant Office is just consultantoffice.com.

Only you will know which one is best for you, but you NEED something. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have something to keep all my records straight! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley29.gif

I have my Nutshell program on my laptop, so I can access it anywhere I go, too. But I am not always somewhere that I can access the internet. So that is one thing that I love about Nutshell, is that you don't have to be online to use it, and I can take my laptop to my spas and enter info right there.
And Nutshell also gives you free updates. You get one month free for every person you refer, (so let me know if you are going to do it http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif) Plus, it is not a monthly fee. You pay one time for the program, and you are set for the year. They do offer payment plans if that is easier for you, but after that year, it is just $40 for another year's worth of updates. That's pretty inexpensive. But I have to say that the personal support that Glen and Linda give you alone is worth it!

I am curious, though. What do you mean by 'downloading client and inventory info from beautinet'? How does that work

I am confused...it says there are free updates, but that theupdates are$40every year? Do you pay the $40 every year once you buy the program? And that's on top of the program, right? That's about $250, I think. At least I think that's what it was last time I checked...please correct me if I am wrong.

The inventory feature issimilar to Nutshell...I think. It has been awhile since I used it. Basically you can importall your orders from BeautiNet directly into Consultant Office (from your order history) and it will update your inventory for you automatically. You don't have to manually input all of your products, which I LOVE. I used to keep track of everything on a spreadsheet, and it was a huge pain. Now I just click and it's done!

If you have never tried Consultant Office, I would urge you to compare it to Nutshell. I think it is SO MUCH better. And you have to be online whenever you check BeautiNet, anyway, so it is not a big deal for me to open Consultant Office alongside BeautiNet and take care of all of my sales, etc at one time. Hope that answers your questions! Marie

So with both of these programs, you can track your inventory - is that correct? One is an internet based and the other is a program you load on your computer. Just trying to get the difference so I can see which one I would use more. I think I like the Consultant Office one becuase of it being internet based. That means I can use it while I am at work. SHHHH!http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif Exactly! The great thing about Consultant Office is that you don't have to install anything, you just go to the secure website (like BeautiNet) and do everything right there. You don't even have to own a computer to use Consultant Office, just like you don't have to own a computer to use BeautiNet! I have used both, and I think Consultant Office is MUCH better. Much easier to use, very intuitive, etc. Edited by: mlbo

Well that's pretty interesting! I will have to check it out.

The price for NutShell varies. It depends on what pakcage you purchase, and if you are a new consultant, or even the big discounts that they give at the time of Celebration and Leadeship. So that is why I just gave the website to check out. The package price includes a year's worht of updates, so once you buy it, you don't have to pay for anything else for a year. After that, you will need monthly updates. For every consultant you refer, you get one month added on to your subscription. So if you refer 6 consultants, then it will be a 18 months before you would have pay for more updates. When you need the updates, they are $40 for 12 months, so taht is like $3 a month.

(I tend to ramble, so if I confused you let me know. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif)

I know that everyone has a lot of questions about these programs, even I plan to check out this other program. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

But I think that in order to find the right fit for you, you need to go to both of these websites and see what works for you. We all have so many different styles and different needs, that only you can make that decision. I have met consultants that LOVE Nutshell... and I have met consultants that LOVE Consultant Office.

They are both very reputable programs... it just depends on YOUR preference. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Thanks for the great input everyone.
It seems both of them have free trial versions so I think I will try both of them for a few days and see which I like better.


Love this board!!