I fell in love with this wrap. I liked the design and I especially like the colors in it. All my neutral colors wrapped into one accessory. My mind was swimming as to how many ways I could wear it and how many things I could wear it with. Of course, the jewelry is first to my mind for me. How many times in the past have I bought my outfits to go with the collection.

Here are some examples of outfits and accessories I thought would look good with just this one wrap and with Trixie! Here I have a chocolate brown long sleeve t-shirt, the Oh Bee-Have necklace and the wrap is tied like a scarf. The browns and the golds are picked up in the wrap and both accessories make the outfit look complete. This would look great with jeans and a pair of brown boots!

This is a black long t-shirt with the Stirred Not Shaken necklace and the scarf with the tie in the front. This looks great with a jacket or just plain as is. Again this is a great casual look and will keep you warm.

I have seen a ton of sleeveless tops for this Fall season. I loved the neckline and texture on this top. It is a little fancier and looks great with the It’s Just Black and White Necklace. I like the necklace with this top because it is not exactly the same colors but it all gets tied in with the colors in the wrap. Tie it around the waist to accentuate the waistline and show off your neckline.

This is my favorite look for the wrap. Drape it around your shoulders and it has a long flowing effect. I love the way it looks with the French Silk necklace- same colors but different shapes makes them compliment each other.

What are some of the ways you have taken one accessory and used it in your wardrobe multiple times?

When choosing a perfect necklace to finish off your outfit you should consider your neckline.  Here are a few examples of how you can accessorize and compliment your look. I used our manequin Trixie to demonstrate a few pieces.

This choker necklace mimics the roundness of the blouse.  The reds and oranges are accents colors that repeat in the blouse.  Although it is not an exact match the two pieces are similar in feel and compliment each other.

O.K.I admit it, I bought this dress specifically because I knew I had the perfect necklace for it!  The neckline is a V neck which looks great with a dramatic centerpiece such as the French Silk necklace. Both of these pieces have color and texture and work well together.

This necklace Knotty can be worn with many different necklines. I like it with this layered look.  A simple top underneath a vest or a jacket and the long necklace brings you eyes down to a lower focal point. It give you the long and lean look. This necklace would also look great with a cami, a button down blouse or even over a turtleneck.

I’d love to hear your suggestions on how you wear your favorite necklaces with certain necklines.

By Jill Pfefer

Trend Alert! Color Blocking is huge here in Fall 2011!  It is not a new concept but it is big- now. This fashion statement combines the use of two or more blocks of color in an outfit. This can be from a shirt, blouse, pants, purse or jewelry. It can include monotone, bright colors, muted colors, contrasting and complimentary colors. Clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories can all feature color block designs or can make up different color blocks of color to be put together to get the color block effect.

Here are some tips to keep in mind with this trend.
1. Be bold and experiment. Any color combination is great if you can pull it off.  For example, blue, green and orange make a great statement.
2. Do not combine more than 3 or 4 colors.
3. Decide which pieces of your wardrobe you want to color block and leave the rest neutral. Such as colorful top and bottom but neutral shoes and accessories.
4.Do not combine two color blocked items. This look is bold but not that bold:)

I think is would look great to combine the Sydney Andrew s Circle of Life Pendant with a red and pink top and green pants. How have you brought this trend into your wardrobe?

I love this time of year- the New Year. Everyone is re-evaluating themselves and seeing how they can be more successful in the year to come. It is a time to set personal and professional goals and figuring out a way to be accountable and to stick to them. The important thing is to set realistic and attainable goals so that you can measure and see your results. By having disapline you will be able to see your results.

1. Look at the overall picture in monthly increments, with specific actions you’ll be able to map out and plan for the upcoming month in a broad view.

2. Break down each week, you can start by using a sample week and breaking it down to how long you will spend on your business each day. Mark which times you will make your sponsoring phone calls, which times you will hold sales calls and which times you will block out for your parties/events. By actually marking your calendar you will be able to block out the time for your business and put other respinsibilities into other parts of your day.

3. Every Monday night, for example, block out time to plan your next week-possibly using your sample template you have already created and altering it to your upcoming week. Keep yourself on task during the week by putting it in a place such as the refrigerator where you will see your schedule regularly.

4. Partner up with someone so that you can hold eachother accountable to your schedule. This can be as simple as a weekly call to touch base with someone on your team or even a best friend. Dicuss your accomplishments and your success in your businesses.

Routines are essential for creating lasting habits. Once you get into a steady routine your systems and organization will come naturally. What are your tips for setting up great disapline for the upcoming year?

It’s true- you can turn 11 hours a week into an extra $1000.00 a month! By setting up your office and planning out your time you acheive efficiency! I recommend setting up office hours when you work from home . By setting those boundaries you will focus on your work during the designated times and not get distracted by social phone calls, social media, the laundry etc.

Eleven hours a week can be broken down into- 2 home parties a week (3 hours per party- which totals 6 hours a week) and 1 hour a day ( 30 minutes of personal business contacts and 30 minutes of office work)

Set up a 5 drawer cabinet and have your packets organized in bulk by assembling them 20 at a time. Organize your opportunity packets, catalog packets, hostess packets, fundraiser packets and customer party folders.

I love notebook binders. Here are the following notebooks I’d recommend- consultant manual and workbook, hostess and party notebook, sponsoring notebook and coaching and training notebook for notes.

Be sure your home office is well supplied for your business. Have your pens, stapler, tape, paper clips, calculator handy. Start a business checking account, order your business cards, set up your social media accounts and set up files for tax purposes and record keeping.

It’s such a good feeling when you can actually see your desk surface, you feel organized and you are ready to do business in a planned and systematic way. You will be well on your way to conquer and acheive those goals!

There are many people who we cross paths with and affect us deeply. I’d like to introduce my amazing grandfather who just turned 95 and share with you how he has helped me grow into the business woman I am today! He has taught me about optimism, to be persistent, generous and to live life with love and compassion.

Optimism- I remember when I was 7 my sister and I stayed at my grandparents house. At the dinner table he always tried to trick us with a glass of milk- asking us “Is this glass half empty or half full.” Of course either anser was correct but it taught us that it is all how you looks at things in life.

Persistence- I remember after college I was inbetween jobs and he took it upon himself to teach me about life’s obstacles. Instead of letting me feel sorry for myself he stayed up all night dreaming up ways I could propse advertising campaigns for one of the local businesses. He taught me to bounce back and to learn from my experiences.

Generous- Grandpa has told us many times about how he helped street people who came by his business asking for money. Instead of handing over the money he would take them to a local restaurant and treat them to a meal. He took the time and interest to help them out!

Love and Companssion- There was no better example than the love and compassion my grandparents expressed towards eachother. They communicated with one another and it was apparent that they knew eachother so well they could finish eachother’s sentences. We all learned that proper communication is the key to relating to one another and building long term relationships.

Please share some of your mentors and how they have helped you in your business!

These days it is very important to keep in contact with your customers and future prospects. One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they want to jump into a sale before the relationship has actually evolved.  In fact, a great parallel is that there has to be  a courting period before a marriage. Developing a relationship takes TIME and ENERGY! Outlined below is a natural progression to keeping your audience connected and interested.

Target Audience- Know your target audience and market to them. Actually visualize who that ideal person is. Is it Sally who is 42 years old, has two children, drives a SUV, owns a house and lives in the burbs?  Marketing to that person would be very different than marketing to Alice who is 23 years old, lives in the city, doesn’t own a house and a car and is single.

Attract- Give examples of how your information or product may benefit your audience. Buy giving out tangible information you will support customer trust and  loyalty. Participate in writing  a blog or newsletter and give out free information.

Nuture-speak to your audience as if you understand them and can relate to them.  By knowing how they are thinking and what they want you will keep them excited and interested.

Convert- By creating loyalty, trust and understanding – your audience will convert their focus on you and your product.  Most of the time it is YOU that they like and the reason why they buy YOUR product.

Continue Serving- continue contacting your audience and servicing them.  This shows that you are commited and value their business which people really appreciate.

Studies show that it takes at least 7 times to reach a potential customer before converting them. Companies like Aweber and Constant Contact have very simple programs to help you keep up with your mailing lists, events and newsletters.  These prograns start for as little as $15.00 a month and can help you generate a successful following. I recommend using photos to enhance visual interest and to send out 2 contacts month- this will keep your name infront of them without inundating them.

What are your thoughts and tips to staying connected?

After spending 4 days in Los Angeles at the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA) conference it was  evident that there are new trends in the home party plan industry.  In fact, direct selling in general has changed. People are looking  for a conversation rather than a presentation.

I believe a lot of this has to do with technology and the new era of social media. People are spending a great deal of time on their computers and smart phones and are not conversing as much in person. Therefore it seems that when people communicate with  technology they feel that they have to get straight to the point and offer their product as soon as possible before losing their audience. WRONG! So many times I see on Facebook , Twitter or 3rd party sites  the deal of the month or why their product is the greatest product on earth. WRONG!

Social media is not “sales” media.  Social media is about having a conversation and easing into a relationship with someone. This could be compared to dating.  People who are too forward about their intentions are usually a turn off.  Most people like to become friends before commiting to a serious relationship.  The same is true when selling a product.  Customers prefer to buy from people they like and trust. Engaging in a conversation is the best way to build upon a relationship and trust.

The trend today is about inviting people to learn about a topic or a product instead of convincing them to buy it. That’s why writing blogs, posting links and joining in the conversation are great ways to build your network. Wouldn’t you rather selling to an informed customer who really wants to buy your product rather than a customer who felt pressured to buy it?

What are some of your suggestions to starting a conversation and building relationships?

Vic and I just got back from a wonderful weekend at the DSWA Celebration.  This was a non-stop, exciting and very informative conference.  We literally did not leave the hotel for 2 1/2 days because every minute was planned to help each person learn and grow in all facets of the direct selling profession! We went to classes regarding leadership training, met other company executives and brainstormed at round tables with consultants and leaders from many different companies.

Many of these events were introduced by Nicki Keohohou, the CEO of the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance. Nicki is one the best speakers I have ever heard!  She’s inspirational and knowledgeable on all facets of the direct sales industry.  She has had over 30 years experience in the business and has dedicated her life to spreading the word of the wonderful opportunity direct sales offers to everyone, especially women. Nicki and the  DSWA are now forming a foundation which will help spread the good word about the profession and will offer scholarships to individuals who want to enter this field who may lack the necessary financial means.

The one thing that really spoke to me (my ah-ha moment) was that Nicki mentioned direct sales is not an industry but a profession.  Millions of people are involved in direct sales and it is positively a reputable business. People around the world are able to support themselves and enrich their lives through this type of selling.  Usually there is no specific background or scholastic requirements but with hard work, dedication and company training - people have the opportunity to become successful through personal selling, building a team and growing within themselves. This field offers people the freedom to work the hours that work for them and their families!

Sydney Andrews embraces the teachings of the DSWA and their programs. Their website www.dswa.org  is dedicated to speaking to everyone in the industry- especially consultants.  Their memberships  offer monthly webinars, tele-classes and a library with current and pertinent articles. They also offer wonderful classes such as Leadership and Coaching programs.  

I’d love to hear about your experiences with the DSWA and how they have helped you grow into the professional that you are!