sb-talkingaboutbusiness

Eye on the Prize

2012-02-15T05:06:00.000-08:00

The worst enemy when it comes to success, for me, is me! Yes, I know. Pretty obvious, non? But truly, I become all caught up in needless things and I lose my focus and momentum.

Since the beginning of my business, I've done what I would consider an okay job. I think I can do better. Maybe it's the skills I learn now that will help me to get better?

I just have a gut instinct and real belief that I can do better.

So what am I going to do to ensure that I do?

Well I have to stop getting in my way, bottom line.

Like, apologizing for asking for what I, the business owner (and professional), deserves from clients/customers and really everyone in general.

Are you like that? Do you find it hard to ask for what you want?

I definitely am.

That's my immediate modus operandi. I must rid this horrible habit if I want to grow and gain success in my MK business. I know the product is worth it. I know what I offer is worth it.

The only catch to my success is me. And man if I'm what's holding me back, well, that's a problem, dudes!

Faith

2012-02-02T05:25:00.000-08:00

When I was young, I was taught that I could do anything so long as I put focused effort in: if you believe it, you can achieve it, my dad would say. All I needed was faith and a good work ethic - and of course, the skills needed to succeed. I saw this faith approach in action when I joined my first organization, figure skating. I worked like a dog - went to Sunday Public Skate to meet one of my coaches, and I finished the first level of skating (every level), Canskate, in one season. Kurt Browning honored me with my first trophy for this accomplishment. I went on to achieve this very same feat with the next level, Canfigure, the following year.

I loved that what I put in, I got out.

But then something happened...I grew self-conscious. I started to worry about what other people thought. I let my mind play tricks on me.

In everything I wanted to achieve I worried what others were thinking.

When I was young, this question was not even on the table. It was a non-issue. What little kid is concerned about what others think? None.

Not on the self-conscious side of things anyway.

Someone posted on fb a video about a girl waking up full of awesome, and that this state would one day be slowly tarnished by her fear of what other people think and the reality of how other people treat her.

Why do we care?

What does it matter?

Why is it that we let this fear influence and in turn hurt our future successes?

Well, we make that choice, really!

So today I choose to stop worrying about what I perceive other people think (because really, do they actually give me a second thought - not likely!)

And I am going to go boldly where I want, with conviction, with strong courage, with focus and with determination.

And I am going to meet my next Kurt Browning and all the while, as my guide and compass, remember what it is that motivates me: a drive to want more out of life; a want to still have challenges ahead of me, and to be rewarded for achieving these challenges; a want to lead and help others; and, most importantly, a true want to have a balanced life so I don't pull my children into a harried life in which they see mom for three hours a night before bed.

Let's do this, people!

Entrepreneur.

2012-01-25T18:19:00.001-08:00

What does that word mean to you? Are you an entrepreneur? Have you ever wanted to be one? What kind of personality can be successful as an entrepreneur, would you say? What is the draw to the 9-5? Talk to me people...Just thinking. I'll write more later:)!

Attitude = Altitude!

2012-01-16T10:24:00.000-08:00

As I enter my third month as an MK girl, I am learning ever so clearly what the above statement means. There are days in this business that can be difficult - not reaching people, or any other disappointment, really.

I have heard this saying more than once, but only recently have come to appreciate its meaning: we cannot control what happens to us, we can only control how we react.

I am choosing to take everything, both good and bad, in the MK world, in stride. I believe if I look past the present and keep my eye on the ultimate prize (which if you didn't know, was the big house on the hill with dining room, mud room, jacuzzi tub en-suite, and five upstairs bedrooms!) - (how's that for a clear vision of what I want).

Now all I have to do is some controlled planning to make the income I need to pay the bills that need paying to move to the next life stage and buy that bigger home:)!

Of course, besides my family goal - I also want to and believe I am enriching lives - and not just the lives of the ladies who get to play makeup! I am learning about goal setting and about how to deal with disappointment. I am in turn teaching my children how to deal with life's ups and downs.

They are observant creatures, my children. And I want to be a good role-model.

So, I plan to have that good attitude (95% of the time) - and keep on working toward my ultimate goal. We are ever closer with each new day, new party, and new MK customer. I am ever grateful for having this opportunity to take more control over what our future looks like.

To controlled planning - and a world of Pink!

Until next time...:)! Thanks for reading!

Also - what does controlled planning mean for you?

A New Year in My New Adventure

2011-12-31T17:58:00.000-08:00

Two months down and already time to assess, reassess, and figure out ways to grow and better myself and my business for 2012.

How lucky am I?

When I was younger, for many many years in fact, I spent a lot of my spare time reading philosophy and personal growth books. I loved them. I am not sure why; though I am sure there are theories.

I grew away from them as I became busier with teaching and life in general. I became less interested - even kind of turned off by 'self-help'.

I am now realizing, as I continue along this MK venture, how good it is to always take time to learn about personal and professional growth. We can always learn from other people - about life, about how to deal with finances, about anything, really. It does not mean we are inept; rather, we are ever-evolving.

And I am so so very glad for that fact. I paused when I finally reached my ultimate professional goal: you know the one we've spent our entire lives working toward? When I was finally a Permanent Teacher, I felt there was something lacking in my life. I really did wonder if this was it? I was disappointed.

So this year I make it a vow to never think of anything as 'it'. We are growing, thriving, progressing human beings. I refuse to get stuck in a rut in which all I do is work, care-take, watch tv, sleep and repeat.

I want to grow as a person. I want to watch other people grow. I want new and seemingly impossible challenges that I can strive to one day reach and surpass.

And MK is that avenue for me.

Not only does it ask me to step out of my comfort (me and makeup are tight, but me and sales? not so much). But realizing that I am doing more than selling - I am helping bring happiness to others - I am demonstrating, and will hopefully progress in this area as well, that we can take control of our life, and ask for more from it!

The other night I got to do a small makeup party/spa night for some girls in a Youth Facility. To say that this was out of my comfort would be an understatement. I second guessed my plan, my presentation, myself. I was nervous. But I left feeling really fulfilled. Most of the girls enjoyed themselves - and one girl was truly lit up.

Though a seemingly superficial thing, doing this makeup lesson was, for these girls, an escape. Something out of the ordinary and solely for them. And it was a positive outlet, an example that we can have fun without getting into trouble.

There were no strings attached. No expectations.

It was, simply, a pamper session.

And I got to be part of something special. And I also felt beyond humbled to see a side of society I have been very much ignorant to.

I am loving where this MK is taking me and cannot wait to see what else it has in store. And I cannot wait to have others join me for the ride - it's a journey of personal growth - but it's also an avenue to reach out and enrich other women's lives.

Yay Pink - Cheers to not settling, Y'all!

A Touch of Pink

2011-12-24T18:50:00.000-08:00

I've always had preconceived notions (and not such nice ones) about the MK business. My mom has been involved for many years, though I never really knew or appreciated her business and what it meant for her - nor did I know how successful she was.

I dabbled very casually with trying to sell MK back in my University days; but I've learned this is not a business in which to dabble. (At least not for me.)

No.

It's all or nothing.

Being a true believer in listening to, as Oprah discusses, life's whispers, makeup and in particular MK has been following me like a lost puppy since I was in grade two, when my mom first started into MK, and I got to play dress-up with her non-MK makeup.

I was hooked!

I'm not kidding. I spent hours attempting at new 'looks'!

It seems like me and makeup 'artistry' were always an inevitable merger.

However, I've been fighting the MK whisper for a really long time!

In fact, I was listening to a very successful Director discuss how because she was from the Corporate World - she had been a very successful Marketer - and because she had a University Degree, she thought that this whole direct sales world was just so beneath her.

I can relate.

But then I started into the business, and I was schooled a bit, I have to admit.

At first I thought that MK was simply an avenue to makeup artistry.

Perfect.

Easy.

Nothing more - Nothing less.

But then the MK world started to reveal itself (and I by no means am aware of all it will mean to me in my journey).

I am a big believer in networks. In the female need to be amongst one another in a powerful, purpose-filled, and positive environment.

Women need to communicate; it's how we thrive and how we make sense of things.

But in our daily life, we rarely give ourselves permission to take this time: we are too busy caring for house, husband, child, career. We don't even take the time to do our hair! (Seriously, this is a real problem, people!)

What MK has done for me is it has forced me OUT OF MY HOUSE. It has permitted me to spend time with friends, acquaintances, powerful women, women I would never have otherwise met, in fact! And it has allowed me to share a little time, a little knowledge and a little pink therapy.

I don't know why it's made such an impact on me in particular, but I do think it could be as simple as we are finally taking a moment for ourselves; makeup has the power to shift moods, lift spirits, change lives.

For real.

No hyperbole here.

It's like the moment we get into a group of girls and start talking about possibilities, and during this time, we take some time to pretty ourselves up and behave like we matter - well then we begin to realize this amazing thing.

We do matter.

And we CAN evoke change.

We leave our classes, or at least I do, with a spring in my step, a new volition in my heart, a bigger dream that I believe is attainable.

Pink is passion.

It's purpose.

It's possession.

I love hearing my friends say that they have started to close and lock their bathroom doors, and are now taking ten minutes to themselves morning and night.

We deserve to pamper.

It's no longer a nice theory.

It's a fact.

Who cares if it's superficial?

I have friends who hate makeup, and that's okay (blasphemy if you ask me:)), but okay! Still, women can take five minutes and just wash our faces, enjoy the water as it splashes our face and wakes us up to the new day!

I am hoping to paint every woman who is willing with this new pink philosophy.

The power of makeup is real.

And the need for women to be together and be in positive environments is beyond important.

I am really proud to finally understand the importance of women.

And with this knowledge, I really do think it is also key to take care for each other. We create life. We sustain life. We deserve to have, for ourselves, a pretty, fulfilling life.

Yay PINK!

Crash

2011-12-19T05:09:00.000-08:00

I've noticed, in the past months on Mat. Leave, that Direct Sales has become quite popular with my demographic. I can't help but wonder why. My theory is this: remember in the movie Crash, at the beginning, when the protagonist was talking about the reason there are so many car crashes is because people crave touch? A very odd theory, but I think there is some truth to this thought. In our hussle-y, bussle-y lives, we are almost too busy to socialize. Everything we do, it seems, must have purpose. So, in order to rationalize socializing, we have to make it about business!

Along with this theory, of course, is the economy at this time. We all want to know we have some control over our finances! And I believe we do!

In fact - I am betting some of my savings on it...

I have just started my own MK business, y'all! I was motivated by some chats from my previous blog, nottooseriousihope - !

I am on a mission to become better with my money and to reach some lofty financial goals in the nearer future. I realize, in fact, when considering my family goals and lifestyle, that getting a new form of income is the best choice.

And if you know me, or you've read my previous blog entries like The Paper Bag Princess - my money is spent mostly on Beauty Products.

So really, starting my new MK venture kills two birds, or maybe even more! That is to say, I get all my inevitably bought cosmetics and skin-care items at wholesale - AND - I can make money sharing my passion with others!

Two birds. he he.

Works for me!

I like to think I pick up on the trends. Am hip and all that. I am SO on the direct sales band-wagon --

I am attaching my name to the MK brand, Y'all!

However,

I hear rumors that MK is for old people.

I disagree.

When I think MK, I think Southern Belle! Why just check out this clip:
video platform video management video solutions video player Those girls are young. They're hip. AND THEY TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER!

And that's what I am hoping to do.

As a parent, teacher, makeup lover, and believer in superficial thinks like makeovers making one's day a little bit brighter, I really think that this MK venture will help lift others out of February Funks - transform ladies from frump to fashionista - motivate many to make more money!

I hope you all join me for the ride, and keep me up-to-date on your thoughts, ventures, ups and downs as you attempt at your own businesses and try to take control of your finances!

Wish me luck Y'all!

Cheers to Painting the town Pink!