FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Ayers
Scentsy Independent Consultant
Jenison, MI 49428
616-240-2426
Laurie@ThrivingCandleBusiness.com
http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com

Scentsy, Inc. To Open in Canada

Starting October 1, 2009, direct seller Scentsy, Inc. is opening in Canada. The initial roll-out will provide business opportunities to residents of all Canadian
provinces except for Quebec, Canada.

Grand Rapids, MI – August 15, 2009 – The Direct Selling Association’s  (DSA) 2009 Rising Star Award recipient, Scentsy, Inc. announced at their annual convention last week that starting October 1, 2009, Scentsy business opportunities will be opened to Canadian residents.

Scentsy opened its doors in 2004 with the idea of offering a safe, wickless alternative to burning candles in homes and offices. Scentsy experienced record growth as customers saw its decorative warmers as not just a safer alternative but as a better alternative.  Scentsy’s success can be attributed to a simple and valuable product line sold through independent consultants at home parties as well as other selling venues.

“I’m delighted to be able to offer Scentsy to Canadian residents,” says Laurie Ayers, Independent Scentsy Star Director from West Michigan.  “I have many associates in Canada who, up until now have had to order through me, then I’d reship it. This will make it so much easier for everyone.”

With Scentsy consultants in Canada, Canadian residents will be able to order directly from a website, or attend a home party to receive the wickless candles. Now is the perfect time to start a Scentsy business in Canada.

About Scentsy:  Scentsy, Inc. is a rapidly growing party plan company offering a variety of scented, wickless candles heated in decorative ceramic warmers, and other fragrance products. The simplicity and value of its products provide a better alternative to burning wicked candles in the home and office.  What began in 2004 in a 40-foot ocean container on a small Idaho sheep farm is now a national company growing 300 percent annually with more than 35,000 independent consultants in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam and soon, in Canada!

If you’re interested in becoming one of Canada’s first Scentsy Independent Consultants, contact Laurie Ayers, Independent Consultant website at http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com

Scentsy Discontinued Warmers n Wax 2009

August is Sale Month at Scentsy.  We’re making room for our Fall/Winter 2009 product line.  Everything in our current Spring/Summer catalog is 10% off during the month the August with the exception of the multi-packs priced $75 and higher which are already deeply discounted.

Discontinued Fragrances

The following Spring/Summer 2009 fragrances will be discontinued on September 1, 2009, and are only available for order until 11:59pm (PDST) on August 31, 2009.  Note: Some of these may return again in the Spring 2010 but we have no way of knowing, so if you see some of your favorites, I’d strongly encourage you to get them before they’re gone.

Blueberry Cheesecake (BBC)
Cashmere (CAS)
Eucalyptus (EUC)
Exotic Vanilla (EXV)
Falling Leaves (FAL)
Fresh Cut Cantaloupe (FCC)
Grapefruit Blossom (GFB)
Grapefruit Pomegranate (GFP)
Havana Cabana (HVC)
Hearth & Home (SOTM) (HNH)
Herb Garden (HBG)
Irish Cream (IRC)
Juicy Peach (JCP)
Leather (Bars and Bricks) (LEA)
Lemon Lavender (LMV)
Lots of Lavender (LOL)
Luxe Vanilla (LUX)
Meadow Pear (MDP)
Mediterranean Spa (MTS)
Mulberry Bush (MBB)
Mysterious (MYS)
Nutmeg & Orange Zest (NOZ)
Pomegranate Orange (PGO)
Red Delicious (RED)
Sandalwood & Cranberries (SWC)
Sangria (SNG)
Sheer Saffron (SOTM) (SHE)
Silk (SLK)
Spiced Orange Harvest (SOH)
Spruceberry (SPR)
Strawberry Sweetie (SBS)
Sweet Indulgence (SWI)
Sugar (SGR)
Sweet Tea Magnolia (SWT)
Tarocco Mint (SOTM) (TRM)
Tea Blossom (TEA)
Toasted Apple Butter (TAB)
Tuscan Garden (TUS)
Verbena Berry (VBY)
Wasabi Ginger (WSG)
Watermelon Patch (WMP)

Discontinued Warmers

The following Spring/Summer 2009 warmers are available while supplies last.

Bombay (DSW-BBAY)
Brownstone (DSW-BSTN)
Dandy Wall Plug-in – Black (PSW-DBLK)
Dandy Wall Plug-in – Brown (PSW-DBRN)
Dandy Wall Plug-in – White (PSW-DWTE)
Dragonfly (DSW-DFLY)
Jakarta (DSW-JAKA)
Luminous (DSW-LUMI)
Patina (DSW-PATI)
Pressed Penny (DSW-PPEN)
Punched Tin (DSW-PTIN)
Raised Dot Black (DSW-DOTB)
Raised Dot Mocha (DSW-DOTM)
Raised Dot Turquoise (DSW-DOTT)
Retro Chic (DSW-RETR)
Scentsy Classic Chocolate (DSW-SCHO)
Shabby Chic (DSW-SHCH)
Weave – Wall Plug-in Black (PSW-WBLK)
Weave – Wall Plug-in Brown (PSW-WBRN)
Weave – Wall Plug-in White (PSW-WWTE)

Don’t delay; these above items will be sold out when gone.  Shop securely and have it delivered to your door at http://www.Scentsy.com/LA Always with low, low shipping.

It used to be that we typically thought of salesmen as just that – men. Most of the sales personnel for encyclopedias, vacuum cleaners, carpeting, insurance, car parts and other widgets were (and possibly still are) men.

Yet if you consider Direct Sales – home party plans and the like, a majority of those sales representatives are women. Sure, many direct sales companies have some male representatives and some are quite successful; but they’re still a minority. Direct sales is still viewed typically as a woman’s gig.

I can say with most certainty that the men who are currently successful with Scentsy were able to see past the gender stigma and see the bigger picture and the awesome potential. If direct sales companies are good investments for Warren Buffett and Donald Trump, it holds a great feature for any man.

Scentsy Wickless Candles Company is a prime example of a direct sales company for men. Here are three reasons why Scentsy is the perfect business opportunity for men, guys, dudes and fellas.

1. Men are More Comfortable Buying a Gift from Another Man

Men are more comfortable buying a gift for wife, girlfriend, mom or sister from another man. Let’s face it; most men weren’t born with the “shopping gene.” As much as we women would love it if the men in our lives were as great of gift givers as we are, genetics simply doesn’t allow that to be the case a majority of the time.
Characteristically direct selling women sell to other women – this leaves out half of the population as potential customers. Male sales consultants can capture that market.

Also, there’s no law prohibiting men from enjoying candles. Many men do, just some are in the closet about it. Another man endorsing that their office, den, house or apartment can smell like Baked Apple Pie or even Leather and it’s nothing to be ashamed of, can be another great selling point to the untapped customer base.

2. Do You Know Any Women?

There are worse things in life than being referred to as the Wax Man. There are plenty of women out there who like candles. There are also plenty out there who like home fragrances but due to allergies, asthma, small children or pets many no longer burn candles. You can solve their dilemma. Scentsy wickless candles are flameless, sootless, smokeless. The wax is melted with a 15- or 25-watt lightbulb. The women you come in contact with every day will be an easy sell.

I will never say that any product sells itself. That’s just not accurate. However Scentsy is an easy sell. Men, stop and think of all the women you encounter each day – if not at work, think of your wife, sister, girlfriend, mom and then all of their friends.

Do you do any social networking? Facebook? Twitter? LinkedIn? There is no shortage of potential customers. When women encounter a male candle consultant, the thought “There’s something to be said if he’s getting behind this company. I better check out what he has” will enter their mind.

If you put two people in a room, both with Scentsy wax samples to hand out, one a man and one a woman, it’s almost guaranteed that the man will get more attention. I don’t need to get into the psychology behind it, but I can tell you that the Scentsy men in the company have a proven track record of success.

3. Scentsy is a Portable Business

Whether your job transfers you or need to move out of state to find employment, you can take Scentsy with you. Even if you’re not planning to move, you can take Scentsy with you every day as you drive to and from work. If your job keeps you on the road, what a better way to pass the time then to call people to tell them about Scentsy and then direct them to your website.

Men, if you’ve never seriously considered working with a direct sales company, I highly encourage you to give Scentsy a look. It’ll provide you the freedom to continue to work your regular job; or to give you something to do if you’re retired. Scentsy can fund the orthodontist, home repairs, college tuition, wedding expenses and aging parent(s) that may be staring you in the face. For more information about becoming a Wax Man, continue reviewing this site or contact me.

p.s. If you still think candle sales are a woman-thing. Get over it. You’re missing out on an awesome opportunity!

p.p.s Still not convinced? Want to talk to a successful Wax Man? Talk to Scott, he’ll tell you the real deal.

Having a home business with Scentsy makes perfect scents (yuk yuk, sense!) The business opportunity offers much freedom in how you choose to run your business.  We can sell at home parties, do basket parties, vendor events, set up displays, run fundraisers and even sell online.  The freedom to choose is one of our great freedoms.

However there are a couple of areas that are strictly prohibited.  Sometimes it’s easier for new people if they know what not to do, rather than to initially figure out all of the things they can do.

Avoid these three potentially career-killing actions and you’ll soar with Scentsy:

1. eBay is a No-Way.  Just don’t do it.  Don’t sell on eBay, don’t try to advertise on eBay, and don’t get your sister, cousin, or friend to sell your inventory on eBay.  Just stay away from eBay.  Besides, when starting out, your commission with Scentsy isn’t high enough to cover the loss you’ll take selling for less than retail.  Don’t forget you’ll also have listing, closing and PayPal fees to cover.  EBay is a No-Way. (Policies and Procedures 6.4.4.2)
2. When you sign up you are given a website/store.  Your web address will initially be http://www.scentsy.com/505 (your consultant ID number at the end).  You will need to go into your back office and “name” your website, such as http://www.Scentsy.com/LA Some people choose to use their names, or something to do with candles or aroma or scents or whatever you choose.  This is the only opportunity you have to have a website using the word Scentsy in the URL.  If you choose to set up an external website (restrictions apply) or if you merely want to purchase a URL as a redirect you must not have the word Scentsy in any part of the domain.  Ex.  www.scentsysue.com and www.myspace/scentsychick are both prohibited.  You cannot have Scentsy in any part of a web address unless it’s your corporate provided replicated site www.scentsy.com/whatever.  (6.4.1)
3. Selling out of a retail establishment.  If you or someone you know owns a salon or boutique you may not set up stock inventory there and sell Scentsy products out of the salon.  However, a promotional display may be set up for the generation of leads or the collection of orders in conjunction with a Scent Event. (6.5.1)

There are a few others areas to avoid, but nothing that can’t be corrected if you overlooked the policy.  It’s a good idea to thoroughly review your New Consultant Start Up Guide as well as ensure you have (and read) the most recent Policies and Procedures, which can be found in your back office under Business Builders.

Enjoy your Scentsy business, it truly is a Company of Destiny!

About the Author:  Laurie Ayers has been in direct sales for over two decades.  She is currently a Star Director with Scentsy Flameless Candles.  She enjoys working with others who are interested in starting a candle business.  You can find her at http://www.Scentsy.com/LA and http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com

SCENTSY CELEBRATION TICKETS

To kick off our Five Year Anniversary celebration, Scentsy has a surprise our customers in the month of June!

Scentsy will be including Scentsy Celebration Tickets – product credit tickets in $50, $100 and $200 denominations – in random orders on every shipping day throughout the month of June. Online orders, direct-to-customer orders and party orders all have a chance to win a Scentsy Celebration Ticket.

The ticket will include instructions to call Consultant Support with the order number the ticket came with to redeem it for product credit. Normal shipping charges will apply.

We will give away:
• 200 green Scentsy Celebration Tickets, valued at $50 each in product credit
• 100 purple Scentsy Celebration Tickets, valued at $100 each in product credit
• 50 gold Scentsy Celebration Tickets, valued at $200 each in product credit

That’s a total product giveaway of $30,000 in the month of June, as a THANK YOU for sharing in our journey with us!

JUNE SCENT OF THE MONTH – COCONUT PALM
A unique blend of tropical coconut and musky patchouli with subtle green bottom notes, Coconut Palm will take you back to the beach on a hot summer afternoon.

Car Candle CC-CCP $2.70
Room Spray RS-CCP  $7.20
Scentsy Bar SB-CCP  $4.50
Scentsy Brick SK-CCP $18.00

JUNE WARMER OF THE MONTH – LIBERTY
Create your own Fourth of July fireworks with Liberty, Scentsy’s newest warmer. A star-spangled tribute to American folk art, Liberty’s tin star appliqués are surrounded by a field of star-shaped event holes that shine when the base is lit, highlighting the dimensional metal accents.

Liberty’s hand-painted base features a dark denim blue topcoat sponged over a lighter blue base coat. Its red-and-white striped lid with hand-painted “stitches” completes the American flag theme.

DSW-LBTY $27 each

Enjoy these fantastic offers today at http://www.Scentsy.com/LA

If you have not seen the movie, “Because of Winn-Dixie” I highly recommend that you rent it soon.  It’s a great family movie about a young girl who finds a dog when she visits Winn Dixie to do grocery shopping for her father, who is the pastor in the small town in which she lives. This movie deals with love, forgiveness, and the importance of friendship. Together, Opal and Winn Dixie befriend many lonely residents of the small Florida town, and find that their lives are enriched, in addition to improving the lives of the lonely people in this town. This movie involves examples of forgiveness, and concern for others. This is because both movies involve an animal helping a child become friends with many people in a small town.

Opal was tenacious when she wanted to keep the dog, Winn-Dixie. She faced much rejection and challenges, yet she refused to take No for an answer. Her father repeatedly said that she could not have a dog living in the trailer and the landlord also didn’t want the dog and said it had to go to the pound.  This little ten-year-old girl knew the meaning of the phrase, “No means no for now, not no forever.”  She believed in her quest so much that she wasn’t going to stop until she received the favorable response she was looking for.

Are you like Opal in your business?  Or after a few people tell you No, do you retreat and give up?  If you’re told no because xyz, do you look for a solution? Or do you withdraw and give up?

The neighborhood children thought Miss Grace Dump was a witch.  They were afraid to approach her.  Though Opal inadvertently landed on her property, she quickly realized Grace was not a witch and further took the time to get to know her.  They became good friends.  Otis was also an outcast with a troubled past.  That didn’t stop Opal from seeing the man he is today.  She listened to what he had to say and included him in aspects of her life.

What about you? Do you tend to prejudge people based on what you hear or are led to believe?  If you find yourself thinking, “Oh, she wouldn’t be interested in (candles, jewelry, hosting a party, signing up, etc.)” then perhaps you’re not giving the “Otis’ and Graces” in your life an opportunity to share in something wonderful.

When Winn-Dixie ran away, Opal and her father looked all over for him.  After a time, her father suggested that they stop looking.  Again, Opal refused to take no for an answer. She was not going to give up her dog.  Repeatedly, she proved that she was not a quitter.

When the going gets tough do you get going?  Or do you allow the challenges and rejection to defeat you?

Rent the movie, make some popcorn and reflect on your own business.  Because of Winn-Dixie is a feel-good movie that is sure to encourage.

Whatever you do, do not – repeat: do not take the summer off from your direct sales  business.  True things do tend to slow down a bit during summer months, but that is all the more reason to make sure you keep working your business.  Otherwise you will have a non-existent paycheck during those months and your fall sales will not be set up to succeed.

Below are some summer suggestions from experienced direct sellers to help get you through the lean months.

Shelly Hill with Tupperware – “Here is something I am doing in June. I am holding a Summer BBQ and Pool Party and having 3 other DS Consultants come over. All 4 of us are providing the food and refreshments and inviting our local customer base to the party. We are making it a family event. To get the parents here for our demo party…we are having some face painting, swimming and crafts for the kids and have lined up some “folks” to help with that aka keeping the kids busy while we do our mini product demos. Each of us gets 20 minutes to do a demo but our tables will be out for the entire 3 hours.”

Susan Graves with Mia Bella – “Think about all the parades and festivals in the summer. It’s a great time to get out and hand out business cards, pens/pencils with your contact information.”

Catherine James with Jordan Essentials – “One of the things that I’m doing is participating in a JE “Multi-Hostess” Jordan Essentials party, with several JE reps getting together to do a “Bingo” party.”

Cindy Phillips with Sweets ‘n Gifts – “The absolutely one thing you cannot do is to take the summer off to be with your kids. So many moms seem to do that then wonder why they have no business in the fall. Schedule some time at least weekly if not daily that you will spend on business.

Robin Nessel with Thirty One – “Summer is also a great time to showcase your products wherever you go. Ex: TW – how many cookouts, family gatherings, neighborhood picnics, etc will you be at this summer? Great way to showcase your products at the same time as you are out having a great time.  PC – same thing; health & beauty – a lot of products have natural sunscreens, skin protectors, etc; jewelry – great way to spruce up your shorts and tees; my company – great totes for beach, pool, kids camp, grocery store; keeping those cold/frozen items from melting on the way home, carrying them to/from the get-togethers.  You don’t have to have a lot of parties in the summer to showcase your products and book up your fall.”

Laurie Ayers with Scentsy – “Brainstorm with your team members, especially those who are on the brink of “panic and quit” mode. Think outside of the box and open new veins where people have never previously heard of you. If you’re strictly an online marketer, consider doing some offline advertising and vice versa.”

Hopefully the above suggestions have given you something to think about.  Direct sales is a business where you constantly need to plant seeds so that you will have a harvest later.

All the flowers of the future are in the seeds of today.

by Guest Blogger: Chris Carroll

For those of us in a Direct Sales type business, a natural way to grow your income and business is through building a team. A lot of companies preach that this is the Only way to make real money. That may be true, but only the people that are already successful in their business and are prepared will be successful at building a team.

Building a team is hard work. Yes, it may be joyful and fun, but it is work! You must work at it all of the time. Talking to people and being excited about your business is the best way to start, grow and maintain your team.

Some reps are successful at newspaper ads; some at planting seeds at parties; some at chatting with people, but any way that you handle the function of recruiting still means a maintenance of the team by continuing to recruit each day.

Talking and actually interviewing the prospect is an awesome way to find out their goals and dreams. Why do they want to join this business? What sparked their desire to join today? Have they used the product before? How are they going to sell the product and to whom? What are they going to use the extra money for? By having this type of information, you can tailor their training and follow up to their personal situation.

People come and go and that is a natural occurrence. Some find the business not to their liking. Some people’s expectations are large and they may not make money right away. Some just get tired and leave. Whatever the reason, it happens.

But as you add to your team, they will need your continued support and training. You must continually build your team with people and then build your team with knowledge.

Train your team to be just like you. Show them how to duplicate yourself. Are you great in sales? Share all of your tips with them. Are you awesome are growing your team? Show them what you do. Teach them what makes You awesome and they too will become that way. Show them how you explode your business and they will do it as well. Make yourself duplicatable and they too will show their team the same. Now you are growing!

The more you build your team with knowledge, the more you build your team’s moral and keep the excitement in place. If we could all stay as excited as we were when we first joined our company, think how awesome your team would be today. So spark their interest and get them excited again about the business. Use their goals and dreams!! Remind them o why they got into this business. Be excited when you talk to them. Let them know that you Love your job!

Never forget that people are in the business for a multitude of reasons. Some only want personal sales. Some want part time work to pay a few bills and very few are full timers. Watch how you spend your valuable time. 80% of your time should be spent on the top 20% of your producers. Don’t neglect any one, but realize that you want your time best spent where you are going to get a return. If someone is only in the business for personal sales, don’t spend days with them showing them how to recruit. The chances of that are slim. Instead, show them how to grow their customer base and save the other stuff for those that want the information on recruiting. Spend your time wisely.

Keep tabs on all of your reps, because things do change and some day they will be asking for your help with a different portion of the job. Use the information you gathered when you interviewed them to identify their goals and inspire them. As they grow their business, you too will be successful and efficient in your own business and your business will have come full circle.  You inspire them and they inspire you!

Congratulations! You are awesome and successful!

About the Author:  Copyright 2004 by Chris Carroll. Chris is a work at home mom that has been in sales for 20+ years. She has a BS in Business Management and is the host of http://www.DirectSalesTalk.com

Ethics and morality used to be used interchangeable in business.  I do not believe this can or should be the current practice.  Many businesses, including the DSA – Direct Sales Association have defined a Code of Ethics. Those business ethics basically say be forthcoming and not deceptive, don’t use false claims, etc.; pretty cut and dry stuff.

Yet when it comes to morality in business, some would argue that definition to be a bit subjective.  But is it?  Shouldn’t we all have a general sense of right and wrong?  Or is it a matter of what’s right to one independent sales consultant would be highly taboo to another?  If it’s not exactly illegal by company policies and procedures, does that mean anything goes in independent sales?

It’s a dog eat dog world. Desperate times call for desperate measures.  It’s a cut-throat economy out there.  True or False? First let’s take a look at what is meant by “cut-throat sales”.

According to one responder on Yahoo Answers: “If you work in a “cut throat sales” environment, it means that the reps are all either starving, lazy or greedy. They will “cut your throat” by stealing your customers/prospects the minute you turn your back.” The same responder continued, “If you have the stomach for it, you can make great money. If you have morals and ethics, you may get ulcers and stress – I did.”

Headlines of a Nov. 26, 2008 Newspaper read:  “The cut-throat Christmas: Stores in price-slash frenzy as battle for shoppers gets desperate.

Most of us would agree that Cut Throat Sales is much more than being keen and aggressive – it’s more about being desperate.   But does it work?

Some Direct Sales companies have a policy about territories.  It’s my understanding that Mary Kay Cosmetic independent consultants are required to ask potential customers if they already have a Mary Kay consultant.  If so, they must back off.  Other companies have a clause that reads something like:  No Territory Restrictions  – There are no exclusive territories granted to anyone.

Take this scenario for example:  A Direct Sales company consultant has a display set up in a local business to generate leads.  A consultant from the same company also happens to patronize this business; sees the display; and still tries to infiltrate the business and make those customers and employees her own customers.  Assuming there are no territory restrictions, is this practice acceptable or no?   What if the second consultant is from the same company but is on a different team?  Is that free enterprise or is that an immoral business practice?  Does your response change at all if both consultants are on the same team?

How do you feel about this second example:  A consultant attends an event and gives her direct sales products as a gift.  Other participants admire the item; yet the consultant who gave the gift merely responds, “I’m glad you like it.”  Then within the confines of this same conversation, another participant, who also happens to be a consultant with the same company, starts her own sales pitch in the middle of the event.  Morally wrong or all is fair in business?  Does it matter if both of these consultants are on the same team?

Here’s my feeling on both of these situations – take what you like and discard the rest:  They’re both wrong, no matter if the consultants are on the same team or not, but it makes it even more immoral if they happen to be on the same team.  In the first situation, if the second consultant didn’t think to request a display first, then she should move on to another business.  There are plenty of leads to go around without needing to be cut throat about it.

In the second scenario, I’m shocked and disgusted that someone would even under cut the first consultant who quietly gave the item as a gift.  The second consultant did nothing but create awkwardness and cause herself to look like a real buffoon.  The second consultant will self-destruct with that kind of desperate cut throat sales tactics.  It does not work and it’s just plain wrong.

Here’s the rub – anyone who doesn’t see these two above examples as immorality in business probably partakes in those kinds of activities. He or she likely sees cut throat sales as the only way to be successful.  My wager is that if there are temporary sales successes in this type of behavior, it’s short lived and the perpetrators will continually need to move on from company to company once bridges are burned and the self-implosion is finalized.

To those folks: I wish you well; you’re going to need it.  To those direct sales independent consultants who see something fundamentally wrong with this type of activity, try not to let the choices of others consume you and steal you of your joy.  Keep running your business with authenticity and integrity – you’ll soar among eagles!

When I first started studying Martial Arts, I was told it would take me a minimum of six  years, with 3-4 days per week in the dojang to earn a black belt. I spent that much time working on a Masters Degree.  That’s a hefty commitment. But it was something I wanted to do.

When I first started training, it was bitter sweet.  I had a brand new, crisp Gi (uniform) and a shiny white belt.  I had a fresh pedicure and I was ready to be Karate Kid!

Forty-eight hours after my first work out I could barely get out of bed. I hurt from head to toe – more like from the tip of my hair to the bottom of my shiny toe nails! And to think I had to get back in there and train that night – ouchee was waa.

I have worked diligently over a number of years to earn a black belt. I have spent numerous hours in the dojang and at home practicing over and over again. I have had to learn forms and drills that so challenging, repeatedly I wanted quit. I have fractured my back as well as my right foot and have jammed up all of my knuckles on my right hand.  You betcha it hurt; you betcha I cried and you betcha I wanted to quit – multiple times! However Martial Artists don’t quit.

Many times I felt like I had two left feet and had no business trying to be “Karate Girl”. Fortunately my young daughters were also in the midst of earning their black belts – so even if I didn’t feel like practicing, I did.  We made it fun.  We decided we needed to shake it up a bit when it came to practicing over and over again. Eventually we were all bringing home trophies from tournaments.  Apparently we not only learned but also excelled in our Art.

In addition to the obvious benefits of martial arts, Tae Kwon Do has also taught me how to survive well in life and in business.  Just like earning my college degrees, the Arts reinforced the importance focus, commitment and using available tools to succeed.

It has also helped me in my Scentsy Direct Sales business as a Star Director.

Martial Arts consist of a series of belt colors or ranks that students much achieve along their journey to becoming Black Belts. This process provides students a systematic approach to master each level of skill before moving on to the next rank. These are short term objectives needed to achieve the long-term goal. This is similar to the ranks within the Scentsy compensation plan.

There are no bad students; only bad instructors.  However each student must also accept responsibility to implement the instruction provided by the instructor. Once you reach Black Belt status you have the knowledge and wisdom to actually apply what you have learned. Achieving a Black Belt is often a goal.  But it should never be the final goal.  In many aspects, the journey is just beginning. There are new goals to set and master as you strive for the higher ranks of being a Black Belt.

This same thinking can also be applied to your Scentsy business.

The good news is that it is possible earn a black belt in your Scentsy Business in less time than it took me to earn mine in Tae Kwon Do.

White Belt (Escential Consultant): You have a crisp white belt and are just getting your feet wet. At this rank you’re working on learning product knowledge, new consultant start up incentives, the lingo and abbreviations, and familiarizing yourself with your back office/workstation and your replicated website. It’s the level where you develop a strong foundation to your Scentsy business, so you can concentrate on developing higher-level skills needed to obtain your Scentsy black belt.

Purple Belt (Certified Consultant): This rank is where you get a good handle on the compensation plan and understand the qualifications necessary to start building your team. You develop your niche and USP (Unique Selling Proposition) so you can start selling on the value of our unique product line.

Green Belt (Lead Consultant): At this level you are working on repetition and organization. You are starting to develop a system that will help run your business smoothly.  Qualifications for a Lead Consultant are $500 PRSV, $1,000 GWV and OneActive Frontline Consultant.  While producing this amount of volume and leading down-line member(s) is still manageable at this level, you’ll want to have a solid foundation as you move up in rank – as the requirements to advance will continue to increase.

Brown Belt (Star Consultant): Once you achieve the rank of a Brown Belt (Star Consultant) you are starting to focus more on team building.  You may likely have some team members who are personal use consultants or who choose to produce the minimum needed to remain eligible to place orders. Those consultants are also essential pieces to your team, but you’ll always want consultants who are eager to be successful with Scentsy. Qualifications for a Star Consultant are $500 PRSV, $2,500 GWV and Two Active Front Line Consultants.

Red Belt (SuperStar Consultant): The leap from Star to SuperStar Consultant is a hefty advancement. You’ll start to see the importance of teamwork and of keeping all the balls you are juggling up in the air. You should also be mentoring team members who also want to achieve their Black Belt (Director).  Help your team members develop their strengths.  Remember, at this level, you’re only successful if your team members are too. Qualifications for a SuperStar Consultant are $500 PRSV, $6,000 GWV and Three Active Front Line Consultants.

1st Dan (degree) Black Belt (Director): Now you’ve made it! …But have you? Once you’re a Black Belt, your journey doesn’t end – it’s just beginning. You’ve developed a profitable Scentsy business. You are now generating a monthly residual income from the business. You can now take the skills and knowledge that you have learned and continue to apply them on a continual basis. Direct Sales is not a business where you can rest on your heels and merely collect the paychecks.  Qualifications for a Director are $500 PRSV, $10,000 GWV, $2,000 TWV and Three Active Front Line Consultants/Directors

2nd Dan (degree) Black Belt (Star Director): At this level a majority of your time is spent mentoring others on the team.  You’re called upon to use your experience to lead others to have successful businesses. Organization skills will need to be keen at this level as the number of team members grows exponentially.  Qualifications for a Star Director are $500 PRSV, $30,000 GWV, $6,000 TWV and Three Active Front Line Consultants/Directors, Two First Generation Directors.

Master Black Belt (SuperStar Director): Once you reach this level your primary responsibility will be working with breakaway directors while continually mentoring your own personal team.  It’s a balancing act at SuperStar Director that’s why time management skills are paramount.  You will set the tone and pace for your entire group. Remember, however – once you’ve reached the top wrung, it’s as important as ever to not sit back and rest. Qualifications for a SuperStar Director are $500 PRSV, $80,000 GWV, $10,000 TWV and Three Active Front Line Consultants/Directors, Four First Generation Directors.

All too often consultants quit after four month because they haven’t earned their black belt.  Is that realistic to expect to build a solid foundation and learn all there is to become a master in sixteen weeks?  Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind; the stronger the trees.
Now go forth and prosper, grasshopper!

Scentsy Student’s Creed:
I run my Scentsy business by the principles of Black Belt:
Self-control
Modesty
Integrity
Courtesy
Perseverance and
Indomitable Spirit