To Our Team & Beyond...

Hello team and anyone else who happens to follow this blog...

I have been admittedly absent in the blogosphere recently due to much too much going on in my personal life.  As with life, in this business, there are seasons.  And unbeknownst to me at the beginning of the Fall, Fall/Winter has turned out to be a season in which my efforts, time, and energies have had to primarily be focused elsewhere.  I am looking forward to 2011 and am hopeful that I will be able to strike a good balance between my personal life and my WH business.  I am hopeful that 2011 will start off as a season in which I am able to dedicate more of my time to you... to my business!

That being said, I have decided to expand the purpose of this blog.  It will be a resource and a tool for my personal team members, but its purpose will extend beyond that.  As you may or may not know, in January, Willow House will be expanding its online portal to include many more features.  Blogs will be one of those features, so I plan to begin to include some style ideas and design tips in this blog that will hopefully inspire my customer base at large.

I want to invite you to join me!  As you decorate your home for the holidays this season, I invite you to take some pictures of how you are using your beloved Willow House products.  Send them to me so I can share them on this blog!  It will be a joint effort of this entire team to continue to inspire each other and our customers!

Thank you for understanding my absence and for rallying with me as we enter this most wonderful time of the year!

In the Shoes of a Hostess

I've been a bit distracted.

I'm helping my mom start a business.... one that happens to involve parties!  She has needed my assistance and so my time is being torn between my WH business and helping her... not to mention taking care of my family :)

So I apologize for my lack of posting here recently.

I want to take a minute tonight to write a bit about Hostess Coaching.  There are several reasons why this topic is at the forefront of my mind.

The first and most recent is because I had the opportunity to stand in the shoes of a Hostess this past week. Shortly after starting my Southern Living at Home business over 5 years ago, I made a decision not to host any parties for other Direct Sales companies.  There are a multitude of reasons that I adopted this policy, but it has served me well.

HOWEVER, I broke that policy last week in order to host a party for my mom's new Gold buying business.

For the first time in over 5 years, I was on the reverse side of the party.

I was in the shoes of the Hostess.


I did everything I knew to do to ensure a successful party.

I over-invited.  In fact, I sent out over 100 invitations.

I added an element of personalization.  While I could not personally call 100 people, I did make a Post Call to everyone and included a personal letter with each invitation.

I send a reminder phone call.

I did everything I would tell a hostess to do.

And I must tell you, I was extremely disappointed.  Out of the over 100 invitations I sent, I received a grand total of 12 RSVP's.  4 of them were positive, 8 of them were negative.  Over 86 people didn't even bother to respond at all.

The night of the party, I felt horrible.  Even though I know what I would tell my hostesses in the same situation (i.e. don't take it personally, you can never find the perfect night, etc.), I did take it personally.  Not only was I upset by what I considered to be a basic lack of common courtesy, I was even more upset that I would not have a successful party to benefit my mom.

For the first time in many years, I think I felt like many of my hostesses have probably felt.

And it felt awful.

Fortunately, I did have more than just 4 people come and the party was much more successful than I thought it was going to be.

Nevertheless, it was a good "wake up call" for me in the sense that I don't want any of my Willow House hostesses to feel the way I felt last Thursday night.

Admittedly, I've become somewhat casual with my hostess coaching as of late.  But after my experience in the shoes of a hostess, I am re-committing my efforts to superb hostess coaching.

I hope you will do the same.  We owe it to our hostesses to give them the best possible shot at having a good party.  If for no other reason than to make sure that their experience with Willow House is a positive one and not one that makes them feel bad.

And let's not forget that when we commit to giving hostesses the best possible coaching we can, it pays off for us as well... in the form of more guests and higher paychecks!

The other reason this topic is at the forefront of my mind is because I took a look at our numbers tonight. I suspect that many of you would like your party averages to increase.  I suspect you would like to make more money for your time.

If your party averages are not where you would like them to be, I challenge you to take a look at how you are coaching your hostesses.

How many contacts are you making with them?
What kind of information are you sharing with them?
Are you stressing the importance of making a personal invitation?
Are you helping them utilize the electronic tools we have available to them?
Are you sharing the online store opportunity for increased sales with them?
Are you making a reminder phone call for them?

Hostess coaching truly does not take a lot of time.  It just takes commitment and follow through.

I hope you will invest in yourself, in your businesses, and in your hostesses by committing to give your hostesses the best coaching you possibly can.  It is nothing short of a win-win situation!

If you feel like you need some help in this area, please allow me to help you!

We are entering November... a month that is typically the highest sales month of the year.  If you commit to getting parties, coaching your hostesses well, and having FUN at your parties, you will be well rewarded in the form of $$$... just in time for the holidays!

Go for it!

OK, Here's the Situation...

my parents went away on a weeks vacation...

I couldn't help myself :)

Seriously though, the situation is that I'm behind with most everything in my life right now, including posting here for last weeks online meeting.

I found out on that day, last week, that we are probably going to have to put my beloved Labrador "Lucy" down.  She is my first "baby" and it depressed me for a good few days... contributing to me not getting anything done!

So, I promise to be back very soon with new posts!

In the meantime, check out my Facebook page for some fun new Halloween decor inspiration!  If you are not online with your business, get there!  And promote it!  The eOutlet is fun and the online store is fabulous!

OK, here's the situation...

I'm going to bed now for some much, much  needed sleep!

Stay tuned...

September Stats!

Following our Amazing August, our September was a bit more "realistic"  :)  

First and foremost, please join me in welcoming three Brand New Consultants!

Maureen Do - Wichita, KS

Maureen launched her business with a whopping $700+ in sales!  She "confessed" to me that she spent most of the $ she earned on product for herself :)  That's just one of the many perks of this job... getting stuff for ourselves at a great price!

Shea Mead - Oklahoma City, OK

Shea launched her business and sold over $700 and booked an astounding 5 parties!  She is serious about making money with her business and is off to a great start with her party schedule!

Jennifer Hamm - Valley Center, KS

Jenn has not officially launched her business, but did do a party for one of my hostesses last month.... the hostess happens to be one of her best friends, so it was great that she got to kick off her business being the consultant for her friend's party!  She has several party bookings on her calendar and is planning an official launch party in early November!

CONGRATULATIONS

to each of you!  

I am excited to have you on our team and wish you much success with your businesses!

*****

Another set of CONGRATULATIONS is in store too! 

Please join me in congratulating the following ladies who earned their first promotion in September!

Robin Warren - promoted to Qualified Consultant

Dana Bartel- promoted to Qualified Consultant

Remember, you become a a "Qualified Consultant" once you have sold $1,000 in retail sales!  If you do this by the end of your first month in business, you will earn $50 in FREE product credit and $50 in Business Supply Credit!

So, congrats to Robin and Dana for earning those freebies!

*****

And now, our September Stats!

Overall Team Sales: $8,856!

Team Rank:  Senior Group Leader

Congratulations to the following ladies who sold over $1,000!

Linda Siders - $1,653 / 4 parties

Dana Bartel - $1,111 / 2 parties

Congratulations to the following ladies who were ACTIVE this month!

Robin Warren - $861 / 2 parties

Maureen Do - $706 / 1 party

Shea Mead - $705 / 1 party

Jennifer Ham - $502 / 1 party

Congratulations to the following ladies who partied this month!

Jeny Ayres - 1 party

Alisha Gray - 1 party

Thank you to everyone who partied this month... I hope you had fun and are enjoying the money you made!

Remember, October has LOTS of great incentives!  If your calendar is not as full as you would like for it to be, get on the phone!  Ask for party bookings!  Remember, NOW is the time to make money for Christmas Cash!  Don't let this great time of year pass you by!

What's in a Hostess Pack?

Some people call it a Hostess Packet.

Some call it a Party Pack.

Some call it a Party in a Bag.

Whatever you call it, it's the "thing" you give your hostess to assist her with her party planning!

Here's what I put inside my "Party Pack":

• 3 catalogs (make sure they are stamped on the back with your info!)
• 3 order forms
• 1 Hostess Planner (available with Business Supply credits)
• 1 Opportunity Brochure
• 40 postcards
• Sometimes, I leave the postcards out and print them at home for the hostess.  I still have her mail them out, but I often go ahead and run them through the printer and print out the name, date, etc. so they look a bit more professional.   Plus, this makes it easier for my hostesses!
• For fun, I put a teaspoon of the Tuscan Roasted Garlic Dip in a little bag with instructions on how to make it.  That gives my hostess a little something to serve at the party and hopefully will entice people to buy it at the party!

Getting to Know You - Linda Siders

Linda Siders - Wichita, KS 

My name is Linda Siders and I have been part of Danielle's SLH/Willow House team since March 2010.  I hosted a SLH party at work about 8 years ago and it was a great success.  I have always loved the items that I received as a hostess, but I actually forgot about Southern Living at Home until I became a decorator blog junkie last winter.  As I perused the home decor blogs I noticed that some of the bloggers referred to an item in their home as their "SLH piece."  I stumbled upon a blog of a SLH consultant and "bingo" I figured out what SLH meant.  I checked out the online catalog, Danielle left a catalog in my mailbox, and the rest is history.  I could never sell anything that I was not passionate about or did not want to own myself.  Willow House keeps me out of the local home decor shops and I simply decorate my home with Willow House products (well maybe with a little help from TJ Maxx for candles and filler items). 

 

I am blessed with a wonderful husband, David, of 32 years, and we have two amazing boys, Josh and Aaron, and two lovely daughter in laws, Sarah, Josh's wife, and Stephanie, Aaron's wife.  Josh and Sarah are expecting our first grandchild on November 8.  It is a boy, but we do not know his name.  However, we do know that we can't wait for his arrival and we plan to spoil him silly.  Josh and Sarah live in Manhattan and Aaron and Stephanie live in Prairie Village.  Our family bleeds purple as all the kids are K-State grads.

 

I have been a paralegal at Foulston Siefkin for 17 1/2 years and it is a wonderful job for which I am very thankful.  Selling Willow House is very rewarding because it is "my" business.  I love selling Willow House because I believe in the quality and beauty of the products.  I am excited to meet hostesses and customers who love it as much as I do, and I am challenged by customers who need ideas on what to do with home decor and serving items.  I love to share my decorating ideas, and I hope that I can inspire a few people along the way to use the things that they love when they decorate, entertain, and organize, and to complement what they already own with Willow House products.  Or, better yet, to toss out the items that they are tired of and replace them with Willow House products!  

 

Each time I have a party, I think of my mom who would have loved the Willow House pieces.  She was a tireless decorator who enjoyed changing her home with the seasons.  I know that I learned my love of nesting from my mom.  She collected angels so I know her favorite piece would be the Herald Angel.  That will be my grandson's first Willow House piece, in remembrance of his Great-Grandma Kay.

 

A Few Fall Decor Ideas

Our products are so much fun to use for Fall decor!

Even though it's still hot outside, I'm getting my inside dressed up for cooler temperatures!

Here are a few ideas from around my house... I'm looking forward to seeing your ideas too!

Hurricane filled with nuts in shells, reindeer moss and a candle.  Accent the top with a burlap tie and fall leaves.
Cinnabar Vase with a few flowers and a berry branch

  Large French Wire Plant Holder - keep it simple with a few Fall picks

Small French Wire Plant Holder

Hemingway Hurricane with Willow Branches wrapped in burlap

Stacked "Permanent" Pumpkins on the Italian Stitch Platter

Simple Fall accents at the base of the Royal Street Urn

Entertaining Bucket filled with "permanent" pumpkins on the front porch

Montcrest Adjustable Hurricanes on the porch

Stacked Pumpkins - these are retired urns, but I love the idea of stacking pumpkins in any container!

Garden Stakes on my front walkway - LOVE!

Tall Glass Dome filled with pumpkins on Covington Accent Tray

Firefly Drake Lantern

Burlap is a great accent for Fall!

Heritage Hurricane Trio with Wheat and orange berry branches

Team Training Call TONIGHT!

Product Ideas/Bullet Ideas for Fall Starter Kit Products

For those of you who are just getting ready to launch your business, here are some basic bullet points I have about the products in the Mini Kit.  You can take this information and make it your own/something you are comfortable saying as you prepare you party presentation.


In general, though, I advise trying to get your party guests to participate in your presentation by encouraging them to offer up their own ideas on how they might use our products.  I do this by giving tickets for ideas (and I draw one at the end of the party for a prize).  I always have plenty of back up ideas in case I have a quiet group, but generally, I get lots of responses.  When guests feel like they are participating in the presentation, they are more likely to be engaged and pay attention!


I also tell the guests at the beginning of the party about the versatility of our products and I promise that I won't show them anything that can't be used in more than 1 way!  So as I demonstrate the products, I am sure to include ideas for entertaining, decorating, and maybe even organizing.


So, here are the products in the Mini Kit:

I always choose 2 or 3 products to start off the presentation with that I can ask guests to give me their ideas.  I would do this with the Galveston Footed Hurricane and the Entertaining Bucket.  The Morningside Caddy could work as a 3rd option, but I'd definitely choose the Hurricane and the Bucket!


Galveston Footed Hurricane:

• Hurricanes are like a "little black dress"... they never go out of style, they are classic and they can be dressed up to change the season or the time of the year by what you put inside of them.
• It is our most popular hurricane
• It has a big sister that is a twin, but is taller.  They look great side by side.
• Hurricanes are a great item to have as a staple in any room in your house.
• You can flip this hurricane upside down and put the glass on the top when it is flipped... this makes a great statement, eye catching display!
• If you want to change the look, add a piece of scrapbook paper to the glass! It will hide your stems if you use "permanent" flowers and it makes it look really cute (see image above)!
• You can style them with a bazillion different things.... I suggest you give a few ideas and then ask them for THEIR ideas!
• Simple candle... try adding a ribbon collar (wrapping a ribbon around it) to dress up the candle.
• Use a base for the candle... great things for fall are nuts in the shell (buy a bag at the grocery store) or even candy corn.  Stick the candle inside the nuts or candy and it's a great, simple look!  Anyone can do it!
• The trend for Fall is "less is more"... don't make big arrangements with TONS of flowers!  Keep it simple and use items that are from nature or even from your yard.  Sticks are a great trend to use in a hurricane right now and Hobby Lobby has great "permanent" sticks that you can buy.  If you use "permanent" flowers, don't use a lot.  Just a few.  (see image above)
• Soaps/Sponges in Bathroom (see image below)
• Decorative Balls, especially moss balls
• Pumpkins/Gourds for Fall
• Christmas Balls
• Tiny wrapped gifts for the holidays (see image below)
• Use for layered dips/desserts - serving idea
• Pasta in the kitchen
• This would be a good item to use to plug the Hostess Special program. Tell them how much it costs (and maybe even mention the larger one too because it is more expensive).  Then tell them how much it would be as a hostess - 70% off.  Be sure and be clear that as a hostess, they get to earn FREE and 1/2 price product, but they also get to choose anything in the catalog they would like for 70% off!  

Filler Ideas:

Small wrapped gifts

Soap

Moss Balls

How about a Beta Fish with simple pebbles and reed grass?

How about this fun layered candy look?

Christmas Ornaments

Natural Sticks wrapped in Burlap.... Two Trends for Fall

Food & Flowers

Entertaining Bucket & Tray

• A Party Bucket is a staple item for any home.  Not only is great to use for entertaining, but it comes in handy for SO many things when the party is over too!
• We have 3 party buckets (you might tell page numbers of all of them), but our most popular one is the Entertaining Bucket and Tray.
• Has a drip tray - even though the bucket does not condensate very much, any water that it does product will drip into the tray and will not leave a big water mess all over your table or countertop when the party is over.  
• Fill it with ice and use it for bottles of water, beer, wine, pop, even juice boxes!
• What would YOU do with it when you are not having a party?  ASK THEM!  Here are some ideas...
• Wood by the Fireplace
• Towels in a Guest or Master Bath
• How bout toilet paper?  Someone always says that!
• Toys - children or dog toys!
• Holiday decor - pumpkins in Fall/wrapped gifts during the Holidays
• Magazines/Blankets by the side of the couch
• Flowers/Plants - How about a big mum for the Fall?!
• JUNK!
• Dog Food station (at my house)
• Ice Bucket (don't fill it with drinks)
• Fill with ice and use it to hold a salad at a party... keeps the salad cool on the buffet line
• I would definitely use this to plug the CUSTOMER SPECIAL program!  Explain the program (when you purchase $39.96 or more, you get to choose another item valued at $40 or less for 1/2 price).  Because this item is $39.96, you could choose it as a 1/2 price item when you qualify with a purchase of $39.96 or more.  
• Talk about the stand too!  It is sold separately, but so great to have!  It allows it to really become a great decorative item in your house!  It is expensive, but not if you are a hostess! You could get it for 70% off, 1/2 off, or even free!  Mention that if they purchase the stand, they could get the bucket 1/2 price as their customer special!

Ideas:
Filled with Fall Decor

In a Bathroom

Firewood (even with a gas burning fireplace)

Stoneware:

This is such a broad category!  I generally start off by telling them that we have lots of stoneware and pottery in the catalog.  It's all great because it is super in quality, can be used in the dishwasher, micro, oven, and freezer, and is both decorative and functional!  

Start with the two "blank canvas" lines... Villa Stoneware & Mario Batali Italian Stitch

• Both of these are "blank canvas" lines.  They can be used as a great base and then dressed up with color and pattern by adding one of the other great lines.  If you have pieces, show how they both look great with the Gail Pittman Alfresco, the Cinnabar reds, the Verde greens, even the Roxy Reindeer!
• I use my stoneware everyday and don't have any chips at all!  Great quality/investment!
• Dining in is the new Going out so why not do it on dishes that you like?!
• Great booking seed... "If you would love to treat yourself to new dishes, but can't afford a whole set (who can?!), you should consider getting some friends together and having a party!  You could get a substantial discount and have some fun with your friends at the same time!  
• Note:  most of these dishes are in the $40 and under category... if someone qualifies with a purchase of $39.96 or more, they could get more dishes for 1/ 2 price!  I plug that!
• Pass the plates from the Villa.
• Show the Ramekin from the Italian Stitch.  When showing the Ramekin, it would be fun to talk about how many "little bowls" we have.  Some are called Ramekins (Italian Stitch, Hyacinth Collection), some are called Tidbits (Cinnabar Collection), and some are called Accent Bowls (Alfresco and Verde Collections).  But they are all just cute little bowls that could be used for ANYTHING!  And because they are also oven safe, you can even cook in them!  WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS?  Here are some...
• Use them for toppings on a potato bar, taco bar, or ice cream sundae toppings
• Put your lemons, limes, sugar etc.  - things you use to dress up drinks at a party
• Flowers... cut gerbera daisies really low and let them float inside! So cute!
• Soap dish in bath
• Place to drops rings and other stuff by the kitchen sink (see image below)
• Mini pot pies or French Onion Soup in the oven
• Your hubby's pocket change!
• Jewelry by your bathroom sink
• Candy - perfect for Bunco snacks!
• Candles
• Office stuff - paper clips, address labels, etc.

Cinnabar Tidbit by the Kitchen Sink!

Verde Accent Bowls double as decorative accents

Gramercy Double Dish Stand

• Don't put your pretty dishes behind your doors!  Don't hide them!  Leave them out!
• We have lots of fun stands that you can use to keep your cute dishes functional, but also make them a part of your decor.
• The neat thing about the Gramercy Double Dish Stand is that it holds the Square Salad Plates from both the Villa and the Italian Stitch Lines.  You can stack other fun accent plates on top for a fun display in the kitchen/bar/island.  AND the Double Dish Stand is one of those that could be purchased as a customer special for 1/2 price!

How I show off dishes...keeping them functional, but also decorating my kitchen and downstairs bar area with them!

Drake Firefly Lanterns

• Cute little accents that can be used just about anywhere!
• Hang them or sit them on the counter
• Another item that could be used as a customer special for 1/2 price.  Want more than2?  Buy 2 sets, get the 3rd for 1/2 price!
• Fill with a candle, flowers.... even candy!
• Hang them from an outdoor umbrella in the summer for nighttime candlelight
• Sit them in bookcases or on end tables, separately, for a little accent
• Hang from a chandelier or fireplace mantel (see images)

Hanging at varying lengths from a chandelier

Hanging from a fireplace mantel

Just sitting around

Morningside Caddy

• There is great VALUE in a product that can be used in many different ways!
• Organize pens, pencils, office supplies, bills, catalogs
• Put be couch for magazines, remote controls, coasters
• Great for serving on a buffet line... paper plates, napkins, and plastic flatware
• Use in a bathroom for curling irons, brushes, hairspray, etc.
• Use as a centerpiece... put flowers in it (would have to use a glass inside to hold the flowers)
• Great for a baby's room... diapers, diaper cream, lotions, etc.
• The handle is removable
• I actually use this piece on my display area... I put my catalogs in the back, pens in one of the front compartments, and raffle tickets in the other compartments.

Again, these are just some ideas!  You should definitely say what you are comfortable saying!  If you need suggestions on pieces to add to this kit, I would suggest:

• French Wire Tiered Stand
• Entertaining Stand (that goes with the bucket) OR the Nola Party Bucket
• Cinnabar Casserole and/or Cinnabar Footed Server and/or Cinnabar Tidbits
• Verde Berry Bowl and/or Verde Accent Bowls
• Tray - Jamestown, Cordova or Napa
• Galveston Two Tiered Stand

I will also post my own party presentation soon! 

Hope this helps!

Willow House-Fun for the WHOLE Family!

It was a group effort to unpack nearly 20 WH boxes tonight!

I thought I'd share these fun pictures... my kids literally played for 3 1/2 SOLID hours in these boxes and had an absolute blast!

I love my family for being so supportive of me with my business... and tonight, my "job" provided lots of fun for the whole family!