My Vision... My Purpose... My Goal
This is where I get to tell you a piece of my journey and my dream.
But what do you do?
It may sound silly, but I think if I could answer this question in a way that encompasses everything that fits in to Premier Designs Jewelry - the company, the people, the possibilities, and yes even the product - then everyone would want to sign up to be a jeweler too.
People make comments like, "I could never do that. I don't like selling things." And my response is, "I don't either, that's why Premier is the right fit for me."
You see, I don't have to sell anything. The jewelry sells itself. I don't talk people into spending what they don't have or force them to get pieces that really aren't what they want. I talk to people about spending time with their friends. I make it easy to have people over because you don't really have to plan activities or work hard to set up for a Jewelry Show. I show people why they need to get jewelry for free instead of paying full price. I talk about why Premier would fit into your life because it gives you the flexibility and purpose.
In a nutshell, I connect with women by helping them host a jewelry show in their home. I learn about them - their lives, their cares, their hopes and dreams. I give them free jewelry and help them with their image (if they need or want it). I listen to them if they have a prayer request or want someone to talk to. I share the opportunity that lies with Premier and help them get started if they decide it's the right fit for them. I teach my jewelers how to be successful and share with them what I have been taught about Premier's vision and purpose, which stretch far beyond jewelry.
People make comments like, "I could never do that. I don't like selling things." And my response is, "I don't either, that's why Premier is the right fit for me."
You see, I don't have to sell anything. The jewelry sells itself. I don't talk people into spending what they don't have or force them to get pieces that really aren't what they want. I talk to people about spending time with their friends. I make it easy to have people over because you don't really have to plan activities or work hard to set up for a Jewelry Show. I show people why they need to get jewelry for free instead of paying full price. I talk about why Premier would fit into your life because it gives you the flexibility and purpose.
In a nutshell, I connect with women by helping them host a jewelry show in their home. I learn about them - their lives, their cares, their hopes and dreams. I give them free jewelry and help them with their image (if they need or want it). I listen to them if they have a prayer request or want someone to talk to. I share the opportunity that lies with Premier and help them get started if they decide it's the right fit for them. I teach my jewelers how to be successful and share with them what I have been taught about Premier's vision and purpose, which stretch far beyond jewelry.
How did you get started with Premier Designs Jewelry?
In the summer of 2012, I went over to the house of one of my best friends. She was super excited because she had just received a big box in the mail full off catalogs, receipts, brochures, and ALL THAT JEWELRY! Of course I stayed to help her sort through the sparkling things - anyone who knows me personally KNOWS I love things that are shiny. When I left, I walked away knowing two things - she was going to be selling jewelry and she could make an income for her family while still living the life of a stay-at-home mom.
Within the next month, I moved to North Carolina.
No, I didn't immediately sign up for Premier; I kept teaching because that's what my degree was in.
My friend, Kristi Long, even called me several more times saying, I'd be great at it. I wasn't super interested because I knew what selling jewelry was like. I worked at a Rogers & Holland Jewelry store for 4 months before I had moved to Florida; trust me when I say I am not good a "selling" jewelry.
By the spring of that 2012-2013 school year (my 3rd), I was again exhausted and knew once again that teaching was not something that I wanted to do forever. (Did you notice before that I said I kept teaching because that's what my degree was in - NOT that it was my life's passion?) I also was starting to think of planning a family of my own and I knew that I wanted to be at home when they were little to see their first steps, watch them roll over the first time and hear their first words. Teaching was not a career that would enable me to do that... but my best friend said that her new job as a PD jeweler would let her stay at home and still pay the bills. Hmmmm....
So I called her and initiated that conversation. I can't tell you what I said or what she said, but I do know that she had me planning to sign up and with a date on the calendar for when she would come up to North Carolina from Florida to do my training show. (Yes, we are jewelers and we do travel!)
Within the next month, I moved to North Carolina.
No, I didn't immediately sign up for Premier; I kept teaching because that's what my degree was in.
My friend, Kristi Long, even called me several more times saying, I'd be great at it. I wasn't super interested because I knew what selling jewelry was like. I worked at a Rogers & Holland Jewelry store for 4 months before I had moved to Florida; trust me when I say I am not good a "selling" jewelry.
By the spring of that 2012-2013 school year (my 3rd), I was again exhausted and knew once again that teaching was not something that I wanted to do forever. (Did you notice before that I said I kept teaching because that's what my degree was in - NOT that it was my life's passion?) I also was starting to think of planning a family of my own and I knew that I wanted to be at home when they were little to see their first steps, watch them roll over the first time and hear their first words. Teaching was not a career that would enable me to do that... but my best friend said that her new job as a PD jeweler would let her stay at home and still pay the bills. Hmmmm....
So I called her and initiated that conversation. I can't tell you what I said or what she said, but I do know that she had me planning to sign up and with a date on the calendar for when she would come up to North Carolina from Florida to do my training show. (Yes, we are jewelers and we do travel!)
What was your first year in Premier like?
This is such a loaded question because there was so much that happened in that year that you can't see in my bank account or on my calendar.
I can say that I started off great. I got my QuickStart 6 achievement ($200 in free jewelry!) and my QuickStart 9 (another $100 in free jewelry!). I made back my investment ($395 start up liscence fee and $700 in my Gold sample package). I paid for two trips up to Michigan for another of my best friends' bachelorette beach weekend and wedding.
And right after my QS9, the next school year started and I learned the hard way what it means to run your own business and how important it is to keep it all simple. I overbooked for the holidays that year and in the process of trying to serve everyone (including my students), I didn't serve anyone as well as I had wanted.
But I learned. Slowly. Or rather, the lesson was taught to me quickly, but it took me a while to understand where I went wrong on the practical application test.
The spring of 2014 I was still inundated with school work - grading, lesson plans, report cards, meetings - not the fun part of teaching for sure. And Premier allowed me to take it easy - that's part of the beauty in Premier: you can work it as hard as you want and make as much money as you work for. I built my parties up slowly.
Summer came around and I set up vendor events - trial by fire, but I loved every minute of it. Followed closely on the heels by Rally 2014! What a blast! What a blessing and eye-opener!
Now I continue with my summer, doing jewelry shows and building relationships with my hostesses and guests. That's my favorite part. I'm still learning about so much, but I'll get better with time. There is a learning curve with any direct sales business, one that's dictated by your ability, your time and your need, but in someways that's ok and you can take encouragement from the knowledge that you don't have to have it all together when you start as a jewelry lady either.
I can say that I started off great. I got my QuickStart 6 achievement ($200 in free jewelry!) and my QuickStart 9 (another $100 in free jewelry!). I made back my investment ($395 start up liscence fee and $700 in my Gold sample package). I paid for two trips up to Michigan for another of my best friends' bachelorette beach weekend and wedding.
And right after my QS9, the next school year started and I learned the hard way what it means to run your own business and how important it is to keep it all simple. I overbooked for the holidays that year and in the process of trying to serve everyone (including my students), I didn't serve anyone as well as I had wanted.
But I learned. Slowly. Or rather, the lesson was taught to me quickly, but it took me a while to understand where I went wrong on the practical application test.
The spring of 2014 I was still inundated with school work - grading, lesson plans, report cards, meetings - not the fun part of teaching for sure. And Premier allowed me to take it easy - that's part of the beauty in Premier: you can work it as hard as you want and make as much money as you work for. I built my parties up slowly.
Summer came around and I set up vendor events - trial by fire, but I loved every minute of it. Followed closely on the heels by Rally 2014! What a blast! What a blessing and eye-opener!
Now I continue with my summer, doing jewelry shows and building relationships with my hostesses and guests. That's my favorite part. I'm still learning about so much, but I'll get better with time. There is a learning curve with any direct sales business, one that's dictated by your ability, your time and your need, but in someways that's ok and you can take encouragement from the knowledge that you don't have to have it all together when you start as a jewelry lady either.
Where are you going from here?
My goodness so much has changed since I last updated this blog. I feel like I have traveled light years through time. There have been a lot of changes and while not easy, they've been for the better.
As of June 2015, I was no longer a public school teacher. I turned in my preverbial teaching hat to trade for a jewelry lady hat. In September of 2016, my husband and I added a son to our family. He's been a joy to raise and watch how even as a baby God has begun to develop his personality.
I did not chose to return to teaching that fall. Instead I was blessed to be able to do what I join Premier for - to stay at home with my child(ren). I am so grateful for this opportunity that Premier has provided - I would not have been able to do this otherwise.
I've also had some growth in my Premier family as well. I had an awesome gal join me in February. She has a son who is right around the same age as mine. This last month of May, I had 4 jewelers join me. Each of them has a different story behind why they chose to join Premier but I'm so excited for all of them.
Each of them has such strengths and I see so much that our Premier family has to gain by their involvement. I can't wait to see what God does in their lives on their Premier journey.
Last time I updated this I had a goal of builder in the fall and designer by February. Well things didn't turn out like I planned but then again, I had a baby. That took a lot more out of me than I expected. I did reach builder on May first and I have 7 jewelers in my downline now and I'm just now reaching by goal of 36 jewelry shows by the end of this month. It's still my hope to walk across the stage at National Rally, but also getting those shows sets up the rest of my summer and fall to a great start.
It still takes work and dedication.
But I'll get there eventually. Once I reach that goal, there's always the next.
But something I've seen even more this past year has been just how much God is growing ME as a person. I'm not who I was a year ago. I have more peace and joy and it's not just because I am not teaching anymore. God's taught me so many truths through my business. I really have learned more this year about who I am in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior and that's certainly made a difference in my attitude toward my family and my Premier business.
I am not sure what God has in store for me in this next year, but I know it will be good - not easy or always fun, but certainly good.
This is my journey and I'm learning to love the bumps in the road.
The question for you is, how will Premier be a part of your journey?
As of June 2015, I was no longer a public school teacher. I turned in my preverbial teaching hat to trade for a jewelry lady hat. In September of 2016, my husband and I added a son to our family. He's been a joy to raise and watch how even as a baby God has begun to develop his personality.
I did not chose to return to teaching that fall. Instead I was blessed to be able to do what I join Premier for - to stay at home with my child(ren). I am so grateful for this opportunity that Premier has provided - I would not have been able to do this otherwise.
I've also had some growth in my Premier family as well. I had an awesome gal join me in February. She has a son who is right around the same age as mine. This last month of May, I had 4 jewelers join me. Each of them has a different story behind why they chose to join Premier but I'm so excited for all of them.
Each of them has such strengths and I see so much that our Premier family has to gain by their involvement. I can't wait to see what God does in their lives on their Premier journey.
Last time I updated this I had a goal of builder in the fall and designer by February. Well things didn't turn out like I planned but then again, I had a baby. That took a lot more out of me than I expected. I did reach builder on May first and I have 7 jewelers in my downline now and I'm just now reaching by goal of 36 jewelry shows by the end of this month. It's still my hope to walk across the stage at National Rally, but also getting those shows sets up the rest of my summer and fall to a great start.
It still takes work and dedication.
But I'll get there eventually. Once I reach that goal, there's always the next.
But something I've seen even more this past year has been just how much God is growing ME as a person. I'm not who I was a year ago. I have more peace and joy and it's not just because I am not teaching anymore. God's taught me so many truths through my business. I really have learned more this year about who I am in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior and that's certainly made a difference in my attitude toward my family and my Premier business.
I am not sure what God has in store for me in this next year, but I know it will be good - not easy or always fun, but certainly good.
This is my journey and I'm learning to love the bumps in the road.
The question for you is, how will Premier be a part of your journey?