My Mary Kay morning....

OK.  a couple of things.
First of all, I sent out an email to all my 'contacts' explaining my new MK adventure.  In that email, I told a little story that had happened at my first skin care party.  A friend of mine was laughing, and she asked me if that story really happened.  I said, "Yes.  Of course.  It really did happen."  She told me that story was what made up her mind to go and visit my website.

What was the story?  I'll tell you...

As my first skin care party was winding down, a few of us were talking.  I happened to mention that I had gotten divorced after twenty-seven years of marriage.  This one girl just turned her head towards me and stared at me, and she asked, "How old are you?"  Another girl jokingly laughed and told the first girl, "You never ask a woman her age."  This first girl, while still staring right at me, said, "No.  But the thing is, she doesn't look like she could have possibly been married to anyone for twenty-seven years!"  I simply smiled and said, "Mary Kay."

That (true!) story is what prompted my friend to head on over to my website and check out Mary Kay for herself.  She also told me that she loved how very easy my Mary Kay website is, which is something that I love to hear!!

Second of all, this was my morning:
I had a challenge.  I somewhat came up with the challenge on my own, but I shared it with my director (and cousin) Beth.  Sharing our goals and challenges helps us to be more accountable for them.  There is this girl who I have noticed at the McDonald's drive thru many times. When I used to take care of Sam, I would often get his coffee at McDonald's, and I would see this girl.  Her makeup is GORGEOUS. She uses a LOT of makeup.  More than I would probably ever think of using, but she applies it perfectly and she always looks amazing.  Ever since I began selling Mary Kay, I've wanted to get ahold of her.  So with Beth's encouragement, I challenged myself to talk to her TODAY ... and I DID!!

Before I ever went into McDonald's, I asked a couple different people to pray for me.  Before I ever went into McDonald's, God and I had a little discussion.  I could not have done this on my own.  I needed God's guidance, and I needed encouragement from my friends.

I went into the McDonad's, and it was quite crowded.  Many people were in there, but few were at the counter.  I waited until no one was at the counter, and I went up.  A girl came and asked if she could help me.  I told her that I wanted to talk to the other girl.  (I didn't know her name!)  This first girl said, "Michelle, someone wants to talk to you." (now I know her name)  Michelle came over and asked what I needed.  I handed her a Mary Kay sample with my business card attached.  I said, "I absolutely LOVE your makeup.  I've noticed it every time I'm in here, and I just love it.  Do you happen to use Mary Kay?"  She told me that not only did she not use Mary Kay, she had never even tried Mary Kay.  (*gasp*)  I told her, "I sell Mary Kay, and I would LOVE to get ahold of your face. I know you are at work right now, and I know it's busy, so I won't keep you, but I would love to talk to you.  Please, please, please call me sometime."  Now, I obviously have no idea if Michelle will call me, but I know when I left McDonald's, Michelle was beaming.  I know my compliments made her feel good.  (Let's face it, we all love compliments.)  And I know she had a huge smile on her face as I walked out the door.  I hope Michelle calls, but if she doesn't ..... I know where to find her.  And I will follow up!

From there I went to the UPS store.  I send my packages UPS.  I always go to the same store, and there is always the same lady who works in there.  So I walked into UPS with another sample complete with business card.  Well, it turns out the UPS lady does use Mary Kay, as her daughter sells it.  I told her, "Well, you see me in here all the time, you know that I obviously sell Mary Kay, and I wanted to offer it to you."  She appreciated the offer, and she and I talked for a bit about both of our daughters...  see, even when we don't sell Mary Kay, we build friendships.  Even when we don't make a Mary Kay sale, we still make people feel special.  I love that.

On the way out of the UPS store, I was holding my sample.  I passed another woman in the parking lot, so I said, "Excuse me, do you use Mary Kay?"
She said, "Yes, I use Mary Kay and you can't sell me any, because I already have a Mary Kay lady in Virginia."
I said, "Well, I just happened to have this sample in my hand, and I was going to offer it to you."
She laughed and said, "Well, I will take a sample!"
So I handed her the sample, and as we parted ways, I said, "I'm so happy you have your own Mary Kay consultant.  Mary Kay is not about taking customers away from others."
Again, no sale, but a fun little encounter.

Before I headed home, I remembered the apartments where Sam used to live.  There are two women that work in the front office of the apartments, so I went to see them.  Only one of them was in when I arrived, but I asked her if she used Mary Kay.  She said that no she did not.  I told her that I sold Mary Kay and I would love to show her the products sometime.  Now it was my turn for a compliment as she said, "You always look so beautiful, but never overdone.  I would love to get to know more about Mary Kay."  I told her that I would call her later to set up a date and time, and she said that would be wonderful......!!

I got back into my car and said to God, "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!"

I absolutely love this adventure, (I refuse to call it a 'job') and I absolutely believe in this product.  I cannot wait to keep helping woman after woman after woman.

OH........ and just another little (true) story.  Maybe this will help motivate some of you still out there sitting on the fence. I used to have one of those deep crevices between my eyes.  The mean/worry wrinkle.  I hated it.  A few years back, I even had it botoxed.  I could live with laugh lines.  I could live with crows feet.  but I could NOT live with that deep crevice between my eyes.  Guess what?  That crevice is no longer there.  I wish I could tell you that it's gone completely.  It is not.  But it is no longer a deep crevice.  It is now merely a line that I have to look closely for to notice at all.  Again, two words.  Mary Kay.    seriously, what are you waiting on?  try it TODAY!!

thank you, Linda...

I had a 'one on one' facial with a sweet woman named Sarah last Wednesday. She already uses Mary Kay, and she already has her own Mary Kay consultant, so I knew I wouldn't be selling her anything, but  she offered to allow me to practice with her.  Even though she already LOVES the Mary Kay products, and knows how well they work, she and I went through the entire facial together so that I could (hopefully) build up my confidence.  She is so sweet, and I appreciate her so much.

Then came Friday, and my friend Linda was having my first real skin care party.  I showed up at Linda's a bit early to set up and get ready.  Right on time, Linda's neighbors trickled in one by one.  They were a wonderfully fun bunch of women.  Very friendly and very welcoming.  Even though they all knew one another, and I was the 'odd man out', they made me feel right at home and quite comfortable.

After a bit of chatting and some margarita making, we got down to the reason we had all gathered.  We had the skin care portion of our skin care party.  There were eight women, nine including me.  I think we all had a great time.  Most of them already knew the products, and a couple of them had been MK Consultants before.  They were all aware that  this was my first party, and they all helped to make me learn.  They listened as I went through my presentation, and once in a while they offered up very useful advice. At the end of the evening, I did sell a few products to a few of the women, but more than that, I met some wonderful, wonderful women, had a great time, and learned a bit more to take with me to my next party.

I loved them all, and I want to thank them for making me feel so relaxed and 'at home' for my first ever party ............  on to my next!!

happenings...

Friday night I got a phone call.  This couple was in town for the NMSU graduation, and they had brought their two-year old beagle along on the trip.  They were staying at a 'pet friendly' hotel, but whenever they left Baron alone in the room, he barked and barked and barked.  They just could not do that to the other guests.

Someone had given them my phone number, so they called.
Could I please babysit Baron on Saturday night while they attended the graduation?
Absolutely.  No problem.

Saturday evening I got to their hotel room a bit early so they could fill out some paperwork, and so we could get acquainted, and then they were off.

Baron was an absolutely beautiful (and quite soft) doggie.

He and I took a  40-minute (or so) walk.  He and I played ball.  He spent time just watching out the hotel window.

And all the while, I'm thinking, "I get paid for this!!"

The couple was so wonderful and sweet.  Baron was beautiful and fun.
And I enjoyed my Saturday evening immensely.

Today ...... I registered for my very first ever Mary Kay Seminar.
It's in Dallas in late July.  I am so stinking excited. I have only heard good things about this event and I cannot wait to be a part of it.  I cannot wait to get pumped up about my business and career in Mary Kay.  I cannot wait to learn from other women who have been exactly where I am now.  I cannot wait to see, hear and learn all I can about the Mary Kay experience.....!!

my phone conversation...

To the best of my recollection, this is a phone conversation that I had yesterday...

me:  Hello

her:  Hello (she sounded as though I had woken her up, except that she called me)

me:  Yes.  Hello.

her:  I need help with my dog.

me:  OK, yes, ma'am.  What do you need?

her:  help with my dog.

me:  OK, ma'am.  What kind of help?  What are you looking for?

her:  Well, you're the professional.  Don't you know what you do?

me:  Yes, ma'am, but I don't know what it is that you are wanting.  What you are looking for.

her:  Well, what do you do!?  (she was now raising her voice and getting agitated with me)

me:  I can come over and feed and water your dog.  I can take your dog for a walk.  I can take your dog out to potty.

her:  Well I can do all of those things...

me:  (banging head on countertop)  OK, ma'am.  Then what was it you wanted?

her:  help with my dog.  (back to this one.....)

me:  Ma'am, I am not understanding what it is you want.

her:  I was hoping you could  give my dog some tender loving care.

me:  I don't do this because I don't love animals.  I do this because I do love animals.  Your dog would be getting tender loving care with everything that I do.

her:  He had surgery and he is wearing a cone.  He doesn't like his cone.

me:  Oh, I do understand that.  They usually don't like those things.

her:  I'm so tired.

me:  Ma'am, if you would like, I could come take care of your dog.  Check on him.  See how he is doing.  I charge $15 an hour, but in that hour, I would make sure your dog was doing good.  I would feed him and give him water if he needs it.  I could take him to potty, take him for a short walk.  I would do all those things in that hour.

her:  But then you would leave.  What good would it be for me if you just left after an hour?

me:  Ma'am, I do have other clients and other things that I need to get done.  Now I could come back again later in the day and check on him again, but then that would cost you another $15 per hour.

her:  Yes, I understand.  I would really like to take off his cone and have someone sit and watch him so that he doesn't hurt himself without his cone.

me:  I can do that, ma'am, but again, that would still cost you $15 per hour.

her:  that will add up.

me:  Yes, it will.  That's why I could just come and check on him once or twice a day if you would like.

her:  I think I need to call my vet and see what he needs.

me:  Would you like me to come over and check on him now or would you like to call your vet and then perhaps call me back?

her:  I better call my vet.

me:  Yes, ma'am, I think you should call your vet first too.  I'll look forward to hearing back from you.

her:  OK.  ok.