Hey, hey Tuesday! I'm linking up with Ashley and Erika for their Tuesday Talk. A day, where we get to just chit chat about anything and everything.
Today, I wanted to chit chat a little bit about multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses. If you're like I was a few years ago, you just made the biggest eye roll, and you're tempted to hit that x at the top of the page. I was there. I get it. Believe me. MLM's sqeeve me out. Big time.
Several years ago, I was approached by several friends who thought I "would be so good at this" and they'd message me about why I should sign up for or buy XYZ. And I was all "do you know me AT ALL?" because I so was not interested.
And, my facebook feed was FILLED with mom friends trying to sell me a product. And, I was annoyed. Facebook wasn't for friends anymore. It was for business.
Basically, the whole MLM thing felt gross, and sometimes, it still does. Raise your hand if you've blocked your friends because all they do is post about their business. Yup, me too.
And, then I started watching a friend share about essential oils and how they were helping her children sleep better. Her kids weren't sick often (and mine were sick ALL THE FREAKING TIME), and they were getting off medications, and I was intrigued. For six months, I sat and watched her posts. I used every sick day that I had that year, because my kids were sick, and finally, I told DJ that we had to try something. Anything. That June (2016) I bought a little starter kit of oils, and I swore that I still wouldn't do the business side and sell these things to my friends.
And then, a few things happened that changed my perspective.
1. They actually worked. That next school year, I had sick days left over! And, the same thing happened the year after that. I took my kids to the doctor less (in fact, Gretchen hasn't been in two years.)
2. I realized that I didn't have to sell anything to my friends. I learned to share about the oils and how we were using them, and eventually, my friends wanted in.
3. I became passionate about sharing and realized I could run my business differently from all of my friends.
So, I went for it. Within a few weeks of purchasing that starter kit of oils, I began sharing, and I began researching.
I think once I really started to research oils and the toxins in our everyday products, that's when I knew that I was with the right company, and I was making a good choice for myself and my family.
I shared my top 10 reasons for getting involved with MLM last year, but I'll 100% say, that if it's something you're thinking about, you have to be passionate about the product. (If you don't use and love your product, your friends will see that you're only trying to make a buck off of them) I think this is one reason that I was turned off from every friend that approached me. I wasn't passionate about their products.
I also vowed to do things differently, and praise Jesus for friends along the way that taught me how to approach this little business differently.
Here are a few things I try to do to not be that salesy friend:
~ I will never cold message you and tell you that you need this product, or approach you about the business without you coming to me first.
~ I won't chat with you on facebook just so we can build a relationship so I can later sell you my product. No. We are facebook friends, or real life friends, for a reason. I love you or I've known you at some point, and I want to keep in touch because I care.
~ My facebook page is still my page. I'm going to keep sharing my life, and not flood you your feed with products you should buy, just so I can make a buck.
~ I won't ask you for lunch just so I can pull out my product and shove it on you.
~ If you do decide to purchase that little starter kit of oils, i'll never pressure you in to joining the business. Sure, I'm going to chat with you about it, because we've been able to find some financial freedom, but if it's not your thing, i'm still going to love you.
~ And, if you do decide to pursue the business, I'm going to teach you and show you, but you're not going to have homework, or have to sell a certain amount of product, or message X amount of your friends. You're a big girl, and you can choose to be successful, or you can choose for it to be a hobby.
~ I'm going to be straightforward with you about the cost, hidden fees, monthly programs, etc. It's never my intent to lie or steal or make a buck off of you.
I know I've had some friends that are sitting on that fence, and they're just not sure. I just want you to know you can be a Business Boss Babe, and be different and still be successful.
In fact, I've dedicated an entire Pinterest board about being a Business Boss Babe, with fun inspirational quotes and a little motivation. Whether, you're involved with Young Living or another company, I challenge you to be different. Find your inner boss babe, and get to work.
