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When Cut Off From The Power Source

Yesterday afternoon, I was working away, thrilled that I was nearly done with computer work related to an event Lilla Rose/LoveLeavingLegacy is part of this weekend. Artist A was preparing to take the Dinosaur computer down to the printer-non wireless, mind you, as we’re a tech using, but not tech up to date family, much to Mechanical M’s chagrin. And then it happened….The End

When Artistic A got to the Office at another end of the house, the computer shut off. The battery had died. We plugged it back in, but the plug on the computer cord would insert.

original photo by pixabay,com

I had no access to any of my work for the event. I had no access to photo files I’m working on for a blogger Review and Giveaway that will be taking place soon. (Stay tuned for that.) I had no access to my Consultant Front Office work or any of my tax documentation.

 

Cut off from my business power source.

Cut off from processes that I am comfortable with.

Cut off.

Panic.

All I could see were the problems.

The time spent redoing the projects.

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The possible loss of information.

The probable costs of repairs or replacement.

The deadlines.

The stress.

Panic.

At that moment, I wanted to quit.

I uttered the words out loud.

I complained about situations being hard.

I told myself what a failure I thought I was.

Nobody was going to say anything to change my mind.

And then…

I remembered.

I am not a quitter.

I am working a plan for a purpose.

My children are watching me respond to a road block.

I am cut off from a power source, but I am not cut off from THE power source.

How should I respond?

Ok. So first I cried. Hard. Ugly.

I asked my friends for prayer, and I asked for them to reserve advice, because I knew I had to focus on the work at hand.

I prayed.

I worked.

The (not sick, living away from home, or traveling) children all chipped in. Even techy son who is traveling solo to New England to visit grandparents pulled off the road to assist and trouble shoot from a distance with the non power source computer.

My husband came home early to help.

I complained in a very loud voice. (I’m being real here!)

I cried some more.

I prayed some more.

I not only had a new power source, but I had THE POWER SOURCE.

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” ~ Isaiah 43:2

I began learning how to use a different computer. (Nothing like learning to fly by the seat of your pants.)

Because I CAN learn new things.

I am not a quitter, I told myself. Keep your big girl pants on.

Together with my supportive family, we got the first sets of jobs redone and printed.

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Once again, I find myself re-calibrating plans, goals, and the process by which I reach them.

One of these days, I’m going to have nerves of steel.

Or, I’m like a Weeble.

I “wobble but I don’t fall down, ” as the slogan for the Hasbro toy was back in the 1970’s.

I fully admit that I wobbled hard last night.

I for sure had a shaken mindset.

(Below is an amazon affiliate link, but it’s for representation of a Weeble.)

Plug into the Power Source when life runs amuck.

Plug into it BEFORE you life runs amuck.

Don’t let it crush you like as what happened with the internal mechanism of my computer.

It’s easier to adjust the sails and soar on.

By the way, the Dinosaur computer is not reparable. <no crying> But hubby was able to get a computer guru to get information off the hard drive. Hopefully we haven’t lost any information, and we have a new computer use plan.

Blessings on a Grand New Day. 

Deb

Lilla Rose has a new March Flexi of the Month, and there are new Limited Release products to enjoy on the website. I have limited photos at the moment due to the computer crisis–and I’m actually using my son’s school computer. But, please, do enjoy looking at my website! Note the new Customer Special for March!

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Toward Vision And Goals With Spring In My Step

There is Spring In My Step! A friend saw crocuses as the snow melted in her yard. The sun has been shining in Michigan the last few days. At the mall where I’ve been walking, pastel colored items, Easter dresses, and flip flops are on display. I’m stepping, and practically skipping with springiness, toward my Vision and Goals for areas of my life and starting new seasons.

Crocus

A training  I took recently was talking about a vision board, a vision word, breaking down goals into tiny bite size steps, and breaking down goals for five areas of life-Faith, Family, Business, Recreation, and Self-Care/Health. She recommended making a collage with pictures and words cut out of magazines.

I’ve heard the Vision Board/Word idea in the past, and honestly it sounded like busy work and clutter to me. I don’t want a vision board collage of magazine pictures and words hanging on my wall. Ick. I equate that with the dreaded and useless paper plate crafts done to whittle away time in preschool Sunday school classes.

But, I was hearing enough of theses ideas from enough different business experts, that I decided there might some merit to the idea, and that maybe I needed to implement those ideas in a way that is more suitable to my style.

Words like Build It, Solid Foundation, Team, Boldness, and Goals were some of the words circulating in my head.

A friend sent me the book Build It Bigger, and my son, Mechanical M, gave me a Build On! mug, which also has some fun knock off building bricks. (Side note: Not all versions of the mug contain a teeny building set, however. And this is an affiliate link.)

build on

Brick by brick, I’ve been building.

I’ve been wanting to share the Vision Board I discussed in early January. I was waiting for my graphic designer and fitness partner, my 17 year old son, who works nearly for free, to help me finish it. He is a high school student involved in studying and completing his own list of priorities. This project was not top on his list.

Mum's Vision Board

 

In January, I did accomplish several of my goals. In the area of Recreation (and mental health) I was able to finish three crochet projects which I demonstrated on FB Live.

hat

Peppermint Mocha Ponytail/Bun hat

Doing FB Live is a Business goal met too! I read a couple of business building and leadership books, attended trainings, and I did my first blog Giveaway! I have a VIP customer group for my family, friends, and registered customers, and a new group for sharing the Lilla Rose business opportunity. If you are a registered customer, I invite you to request to join!

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Bricks (Ideas) scattered around.

In the area of Self Care/Health, my goal is to lose three pounds/month until July. The plan was to walk 3 miles, 3-5 times/week. One month ago, I started keeping a food journal and I began keeping track of measurements. In one month,  I’m actually walking 4-5 miles 4-5 times/week. I’ve lost all that I regained during the holidays, plus 3 more pounds, and I’ve lost 1-1.5 inches in different areas. This week I began strength training, too. My goal for February is to walk those 4-5 miles 5 days/week more consistently and in less time, with 2-3 sessions of added strength training each week. I won’t lie. This is taking more time than I would like or can spare, and it’s hard! I have blisters. But, I’m sleeping better, have more energy, and drinking less coffee, so staying positive.

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And, YAY! For added bonus, I had my monthly massage and bi annual hair trim!

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And starting to take shape.

Little by little, brick by brick, I’m Building It with a Limp in My Step From the Blisters on my Feet  Spring In My Step, and stepping toward goals in business, health, recreation, our family is growing in many ways, and these areas are challenging me as I’m building my Christian faith.

Build it 3

Brick by brick, idea by idea, creating Vision and stepping toward Goals, building it.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

How are your 2017 goals shaping up?

Are you accomplishing Putting Spring Into Your Step Toward Your Vision?

Here is an example of Lilla Rose/LoveLeavingLegacy’s Monday night Facebook Live at 5.

Blessings,

Deb

There is a Lilla Rose sale on select Limited Release products with Free shipping on retail orders $60+ through February 17, 2017 at 11:59 PST.  Don’t miss the customer special, too!

If keeping the bills paid wasn't a problem, what is the one thing you would do with the extra from your Lilla Rose income- (1)

February 2017 customer special

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On Beginning A Business: Advice From Winnie the Pooh & Friends

Yesterday, January 18, 2017, was A. A. Milne’s birthday, and national Winnie the Pooh Day.

I enjoyed reading through some of Milne’s quotes. Many can be used for business inspiration, so I pulled out a few and had fun making some graphics.

Corner of the Forest

For instance, in order to bloom in business, an entrepreneur or direct seller can’t stay hidden at home! Somehow, staying out in front of customers is a must.

How could I get myself out in front of customers?

  • Be at vendor events selling or presenting a product to customers.
  • Attend networking meetings or events with other small business owners.
  • Do in home Style Boutiques. (home parties for some companies)
  • Do online Style Boutiques or home parties.
  • Find ways to show the product in use all the time in every day life.
  • Wear a Luci advertising bag.
  • Use social media or a blog, which is a key point for a person home bound and running a business.

How is a direct sales small business owner different than a chain store?

Consideration eeyore

  • Customer service is personalized. Customers and team members (sometimes known as downline) want to know they are cared for more than a product or an upline’s promotion, and, the focus is not solely on sales and profit.
  • Trust and loyalty needs to be earned.
  • There is mutually agreed upon communication, follow up, and meeting times.

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Who sets the pace for business growth? Is direct sales small business ownership “easy money?” Is it a “pyramid scheme?”

  • There is absolutely no business that will earn a person “easy money.” There a huge difference between filling out some surveys for “easy money” and working a small business. I’d also like to point out that that so called “easy money” is often a scam. I’m telling you–if anyone uses the words “easy money” in regards to business, just run. Any direct sales small business is not going to be a “get rich quick” endeavor.
  • Building a customer base on trust, and a good working team takes time, effort, and perseverance.
  • Sometimes growth depends on how many hours a person is willing to work, consistency, experience in presenting and discussing the opportunity, and for how long an entrepreneur is willing to persevere. The river may branch in a different direction within a team or for a team leader.
  • Just because one doesn’t realize progress is being made or as fast as one thinks it should doesn’t mean that progress isn’t happening.
  • Pyramid schemes are illegal in the United States. Direct sales is not a pyramid scheme, as there is a product to sell. Direct sales has a real business model, with a potential for growth and promotion within a company by building teams. Read more here from the Direct Sales Association.

When is the best time to start a direct sales or small business?

What day is it

Today, or whenever you are ready, is a great day to get started!

Please, though, count the costs before signing on dotted lines. You want to be able to go the distance and on a firm foundation!

 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” Luke 14: 28-30
  • Why does one want to start a direct sales business? What are the goals?
  • What can one afford without going into big debt? One needs to do homework and do research of different companies, compensation plans, and the market in one’s area for the product. Start up costs in direct sales are far lower than those businesses with a brick and mortar building.
  • How much time is one willing to invest in a new business? What hours and days would one be able to dedicate to its growth? Fifteen to twenty hours to start is ideal.
  • Is one required to carry inventory, and if so, what are the costs for that?
  • Would one have monthly, quarterly, or yearly sales minimums?
  • Would one have to pay for a replicated website?
  • Would one need to sign up for a newsletter, video making, or graphics designing sites, and if so, what are their fees?
  • What are costs of display materials for vendor events? What are the costs of catalogs, business supplies, and other business branded needs?
  • Is one required to sponsor a team? If so, they should know the structure for how that works. Are there minimum sponsoring requirements? Is the person willing to invest in those new team members and understand that as their leader, he/she would have an obligation to assist with their success? If not, refer again to that compensation plan, because he/she is likely paid a percentage of their sales of product. Earning the compensation happens when one helps the business team succeed.
  • Does one need insurance, to be listed in a business association, or need special licenses?
  • How will one get trained? Does the company offer trainings, and if so, how often? What books should one read, and which direct sales or small business trainings should one attend at the start? How much money will need to be invested in these trainings? New business owners are investing in their own personal growth as leaders in their field when they invest in training.

I’m sure this list is not exhaustive, and it’s not meant to be so, but perhaps it is a springboard for questions to ask as one counts costs of doing business in direct sales especially.

As one who had zero intention of doing a direct sales business when I joined Lilla Rose, it never occurred to me to count any of those costs. I had no idea if, how, or where I’d earn an income. I had no plan, no idea what anything would entail. I spent my first eighteen months learning all of the above, and investing in myself to begin to learn. I had a number of Lilla Rose leaders encouraging me and directing me, but a business plan is not anything I’d ever considered. I had asked no questions.

Here are some of the most basic pieces of information in starting a Lilla Rose business.

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I’m looking for new entrepreneurial minded people to join my Lilla Rose team. Could one of them be you? If so, let’s talk.

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If one grows a team, there is more to the Lilla Rose compensation plan. I’m happy to discuss this in more detail in a conversation.

If anyone needs to discuss the opportunity, I’d invite you to reach me at loveleavinglegacy@gmail.com, or on Facebook messaging via my Lilla Rose/LoveLeavingLegacy page. 

Blessings,

Deb

 

Wise Words on the Lilla Rose Opportunity from the inventor of the flexi clip and owner of Lilla Rose, John Dorsey himself!