Direct Sales Drama Momma

I’d say 60% of the women I talk to want to work at home. Another 20% want to have their business based at home – but still want to be “out” of the house mixing and mingling with clients, sales calls….etc. For example….realtors.

Most women I talk to want a high paying, low stress, part time home business.

I’m not sure if that exists? We’ve all seen our share of comp plans – and really…there’s got to be some major recruiting and selling going on to “really” make an actual income.

We all read the stories of women that join a direct sales business and end up making scads of money. But was it easy?I always look at their pictures and see beaming faces, big smiles, perfect make-up…
I don’t mean to stereotype – but so far….they all do seem to be perfectly coiffed, tanned and glamour-shot ready. Which….I WISH I could be. So it’s more of a compliment. I slather on the sunscreen every day (50SPF), have long hair I just pull back or up and make-up…well, if I’ve got a big ole zit. (Yes…at 41 I still break out! Arrgghhh! And please don’t try and sell me a direct sales product for my zits, my hair or make up products that transforms even the average woman into a stunner!) I have my “dot on some concealer” method, and it works for me.

Anyway…
As these successful women talk about “loving” their business….and how it’s changed their lives – I wonder…how much stress and hard work was it to hit that number in sales? To make all those recruiting calls, sales calls…..home parties?

The line….”these products just sell themselves….”
Ummm….no….not buying it…..cuz someone had to buy it. And that someone had to be sold on the product, or had to attend a home party, or receive a catalog. Something.

I love shopping just as much as the next person. But I don’t actively seek direct sales home parties to make my purchases. I go when I’m invited for the most part – but it’s not like running to Target and just grabbing what you need.

So what separates the BIG time earners in direct sales from the average or less than average in sales earner? Personality? Ambition? Time?

And recruiting, team building? I’ve done this….and the attrition was unreal. For every three you sign up – two quit and the one that stays does nothing with their business. I mean….lets get real here. I did five months of heavy recruiting….about 22 calls a day for a company I joined called Melaleuca back in 2002. I was beginning to feel like the smarmy used car salesman guy. It was hard to keep my energy up and stay positive no after no.

I’m not knocking Melaleuca. Hey…I STILL make my monthly purchase. Love their laundry stuff! But out of the 25 I recruited….maybe 2 stayed on board and maybe one ever actually recruited others and built their own team.

Work at Home Watchdog THE “work at home” product & “money making” system review site.

My check from Melaleuca each month is around $30 these days and I buy $60 in product to stay “active”. So…..as you can see – it’s not a big money maker for me. At all. And I can’t imagine going back to that high level of recruiting on a constant basis. I think at my peak I was making maybe $125 a month?

So do I just suck? Or does it take a unique personality to really make a go at one of these direct sales home businesses? Maybe it’s deep desire or desperation that motivates? Most women will say…..”You need to BELIEVE in what you’re selling and the opportunity/business.”
I feel I did believe back when I was making a go with Melaleuca. I tried really hard. Listened to the calls, bought leads….trained my own team. But I just ran out of steam.

What does it take to be a successful direct sales person?
Who succeeds and who becomes a whiny direct sales drama momma?

I dunno? You tell me.

Tagged as: direct sales, direct sales companies