Coconut Macaroon: One of life's wonderful guilty pleasures...Heavenly
scent of warm baked coconut combined with hints of vanilla and almond.
What a great way to enjoy one of your favorite treats without all the
calories!
I have found that there are FIVE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS
THAT ALL FLOW TOGETHER for success
1. BE AVAILABLE FOR SPONTANEOUS CUSTOMERS – When I first started selling Mia Bella candles in July 2005, I didn't talk to strangers. Now, I think I talk to everyone around me. I think some people are really turned off by people who just talk about their business, so this has never been my goal. I am a very strong Christian and believe that God wants me to just be kind to others. It’s amazing how when you are obedient to that, people really warm up to you and want to have conversations. Through saying hello and listening to their response find out if they have just moved to town, if they are broke and discouraged or just want to see a friendly smile. Sometimes I talk about business after that, and sometimes I just tell them I will pray for them and hope to see them again. It’s not all about the immediate sell – it’s about taking care of people.
2. CUSTOMER SERVICE – I try and call different customers every once in awhile and ask them how they are enjoying their candle. Of course, they always say they love them. I tell them about our newest scent in the Candle of the Month and remind them that I do fundraisers if they know of anyone looking for a new product for their group. I sent out Christmas cards with a scent sample to about 150 customers and I also give out coupons occasionally.
3. CRAFT SHOWS – I know this can get pricey, but if you search around you can find some that don't cost too much for a booth. My husband and I have even shared a booth. He does financial planning and insurance. We marketed out booth by saying he would make sure their home was insured and I made sure they didn't have black soot all over their walls! We had a blast doing it together. I get lots of leads for fundraisers, team members and customers through a Free Candle Drawing for each show I do. After shows I am extremely busy with all the follow ups. I add these people to an auto responder and they receive the Candle of the Month information monthly too or I send out fundraiser packets or schedule candle parties!!
4. FUNDRAISERS – This is a great way to build your business! It is a great way to get your product in homes that you might not have ever gotten to. I have gained team members this way and also other fundraisers. I have heard people question this because there isn't too much money to make. Think of it this way instead. You are helping a cause and you are getting free advertising and customers for future purchases!
5. BE PREPARED – I have business cards with scent samples stapled on them and brochures for everywhere I go. I leave brochures at the doctor, dentist, hair stylist, etc. I have a free candle drawing vase with a ribbon on it at the bank for leads and fundraisers too! I try and always carry fundraising packets with me for when I see someone doing a car wash or selling something outside the local Wal-mart too! Just work it into your everyday life and eventually you will get there. For instance, I went to a closing on our house last week and gave everyone in the office one of my cards with a sample of Sweet Orange and Chili Pepper on it. I sold 5 candles immediately!
Everyone loves candles. I have found that out through this venture. At first, I was nervous and felt like I was being pushy. I have found though that people do not mind being told about candles – lucky for me because I tell everyone that Mia Bella candles truly are the best!
Thanks for letting me share what has worked for me. I forgot to mention that my 3 boys love to sell too – they call me the Candle Lady and ask people all the time if they want one of “mom’s best healthy candles – a Mia Bella, of course”
Thanks, Kimberley Hatzfeld & Family
Editor's Note: Just another reason why you should attend the Spring Fling. If you have not registered, register today!
Hi, my name is Donna King from South Central PA. My husband Ron and I have two girls, Brittany, age 14 and Brandi, age 11. Our girl’s college education is our ‘why’ for getting started in this business.
Exactly one year ago, little did my husband Ron realize that by simply clicking on an online ad for a free candle drawing that our lives were about to change. He also checked the box that said ‘Yes, I would like to earn money from my home’.
You see, Ron had been searching now and then for a home based business so I could stop working those long and stressful hours at my full time job. Even working part-time would be so much better for the family. Well, when he stumbled on the candle drawing page it was like a no-brainer. Ever since he had known me, I have always burned scented candles. He thought, “What a perfect home business for her!” So he filled out the form with all of my information in it and when I came home from work that day he said “Oh, by the way, I signed you up for a candle business today!”
It wasn't long before we received a phone call from Lori Moreno and Bob Schmitz. Now things were really starting to get interesting. They were talking about the wonderful opportunity the company offers and wanted us to get started ASAP.
Now even though Ron had been the one to sign me up for the drawing, he is a very big skeptic. What were these people talking about? Residual Income? What's that? No way can you make that much money selling candles! They want my credit card information and my social security number? This must be a scam!
Well after a few more phone calls with Bob and Lori most of the skepticism disappeared and we joined the Candle of the Month Program. We figured, “what can we lose, we love candles. We’ll get a candle each month and give it as a gift if we don't like it!” When we received our Hot Apple Pie in the mail, we were immediately blown away by these candles. But this still wasn't enough for Ron. He had to see this place called Scent-Sations, Inc. and make sure it actually existed. Low and behold they were holding a convention called the Spring Fling!
We attended that Spring Fling and realization hit that yes, this truly was real and our excitement grew. We met the wonderful Mia Bella family and toured the warehouse and offices. The last bit of skepticism had finally been extinguished. We loaded up our van with those fantastic candles taking advantage of the “Spring Fling Specials” and headed home. We were so excited, we just couldn't wait to get started.
Throughout this past year we have done it all: Home parties, Shows, Fundraising and most recently are focusing on recruiting. Our goal was to be Diamond Distributors by this year’s Spring Fling (we've done it!!)
We've been talking up the business to everyone! My cousin’s son (9 yrs. old at the time) just happened to be thinking about how he could make a little money to start a savings account. He wanted to be an entrepreneur of some type. When we talked to them about Mia Bella Candles, Brian was immediately interested. As young as he is, he knows women LOVE candles. He was already thinking about how he could talk his grandmother into having a candle party at her home.
Brian went home and started preparing. His mom and dad helped him make a list of what he needed to get his business off the ground. He made his own price list and even typed up a newsletter about the candles and his new business to send out to everyone he knows. Right now, he and his mom are working on getting a fundraiser started. This one could be the start of something BIG!
In conclusion, if anyone out there is a skeptic like Ron, rest assured that he is finally convinced and will give testimony to anyone who asks! We love this business and look forward to building a team of successful distributors and making our dreams become reality. Thanks to Lori for being persistent, and thanks to everyone at Scent-Sations for this awesome opportunity!
Donna & Ron King
This is such a rewarding experience. I have just completed my first fundraiser, and to be quite honest, I am astounded at the results.
The fourth and fifth grade classes at my son’s school asked if they could do a scented “animal” fundraiser made with our Mia Bella candles with a Valentine’s Day theme back in January. They had seen my scented bears before. There are only four boys in these two classes and I honestly did not expect them to sell too many of them. I suggested the jar candles, but they wanted the “animals”, like monkeys, cats, dogs, cows, you name it. It was also interesting to see the scents they had picked out. They suggested scents like banana and bubble gum. Interesting, I thought.
Their teacher called me on a Wednesday and said they would like to have a dozen scented “animals” to sell at their home basketball game, which was on Friday. YIKES!!! Two days notice and no “animals” in the house. I traveled to town to our local drug store and found a dozen Valentine’s Day “animals.” I worked day and night to get these done for those boys to sell on Friday.
Well Friday rolled around and I went to the game to help the boys with the sales. They had a really cute display set up with posters all in Valentine’s Day theme. To my astonishment, the boys sold 11 “animals” that night and raised $165.00. I thought that was pretty good.
Then, there was another home game coming up on Tuesday. They decided it went so well on Friday; they wanted to try it again, so back on the road to find more “animals.” Luckily, we received our shipment of more Valentine’s Day “animals” in all shapes and sizes. I worked all weekend completing the boys order.
Tuesday comes and again I go to the game to help the boys. This time they sold 10 “animals” and raised $128. Not bad for a couple of hours work, I thought. So at the end of the night we tallied up our totals and reported the boys sold 21 “animals” and raised $293. Those boys wanted more money for their fundraiser. They were trying to raise enough money to pay for their spring field trip as well as giving a cash donation to a local gal who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina while attending college. I was touched. I decided I would do whatever it took to help these boys out.
Over the course of the next several weeks, I made and delivered scented “animals” and took more orders from these boys. They set a goal to sell 100 by Valentine’s Day. I thought if they sold half that amount they would be doing well.
After it was all said and done, I presented a check to the Flaxville School for the fourth and fifth grade classes in the amount of $500. These boys sold a phenomenal amount of 81 scented “animals” and raised $1043. They may not have reached their goal but they sure exceeded my expectations. I think these boys are the “real” animals.
Never underestimate the power of fundraising, no matter where you live or your level of comfort zone. It opens up many doors for your business and gets the product in the hands of future customers. People love our scented candles!
Wendy Dahl
Montana
I have always loved candles and angels. They are both a passion of mine and when my friend died on 9-11, I had angels around candles and they burned for days because I truly felt that my first paramedic partner was going to come out of this one alive, even though I knew the chances were slim.
His name was Chris Blackwell from Engine 3 in the Bronx. He knew myself and my husband before we even met and he was there at the picnic, when my husband proposed to me. Had I known about your company then, when I did my fundraiser for his children, I certainly would have considered using your products. I met my husband after an abusive marriage and had decided that I would never marry again! Then I became a Paramedic Instructor for a community college and there he was, the cutest guy in class. Of course I kept it professional until he graduated, all along being just friends.
At the time he hated women and I hated men so we made friends rather quickly, but he told me up front that he couldn't marry a woman with children, so my hopes of a relationship that would last forever were gone. To my surprise he realized that he couldn't live without me, and we have been together for about 13 years now. Little did he know then that I would be struck with such a debilitating disease that I can barely function.
The Lupus and joint deterioration has taken its toll on me, and the chemotherapy just makes it worse. But he tells me he loves me every day and works his butt off as a fireman. So now I worry about him, although I know Chris is up there in the sky watching over him. He is one of our guardian angels. I have three daughters, two of whom are interested in selling candles. They are 15, 13, and 8 and I love them with all my heart. I just hope this works for us because we are financially struggling and I would love to find something to help us get on our way to some financial freedom.
I hope this helps you get to know me better, I'm in a better place today and I'm not in so much pain. Thanks for your call, it really cheered me up.
Thanks again,
Kimberly Levy
Garrett is a yell leader this year, opting for that in his senior high school year over playing football and basketball, (much to the dismay of the coaches...he’s 6’4” and 200+). He loves it, but keeping his curriculum solid and being available for the grueling schedule of stunting practices and games has been challenging and didn't leave a lot of time for a JOB to pay for his car and expenses, so when he turned 18 we talked about it and he decided to become a distributor with the intent of doing fundraisers for income in mind.
Garrett knew he had the cheerleaders, band, teachers and coaches for a starting built in potential customer base, but he was a little unsure of how to approach everyone to let them know he was selling candles now, so I suggested he let the candles open the conversation.
We made some fragrance samples, put them in a large zip lock bag, leaving it unzipped and putting it in his back pack, also leaving it slightly open. We called this high school guerilla marketing, but it really is simpler than that, it is simply a discrete version of the smell and sell. As he sat in class or walked through the hallways (our schools here are completely indoors) the fragrance of those samples preceded and followed him. It wasn't long before everyone was asking what smelt so good! Problem solved, all he then had to say was, those are fragrance samples for my new candle business! That's all it took to tap into that potential customer base, 10 minutes to grate, bag, and label, 24 fragrance samples, and brochures and place them strategically in a book bag.
A week later he came home and asked if he could take my distributor sample bag to one of the cheerleader’s home, her family wanted to smell the candles. He left their home an hour later having sold 6 candles, with the bonus of home made cookies and milk, and they asked him to please come back in two weeks so that they could do their Christmas shopping with the candles! He was so excited he came home and called the moms of a few more of his friends and asked if he could come by and give them some samples of his new business. More sales, and customers! He was really excited now because he knew that without any real effort so far, he had made as much as working two weeks part time at his JOB!
When Garrett signed up as a distributor I made him a personalized fundraiser portfolio as we do everyone we introduce to this business, so I suggested when his candles came in and it was time for him to deliver them to that first family, that he take a copy of that fundraiser portfolio with him and explain the fundraiser opportunities to them. The daughter is not only a cheerleader, she is also in the honor choir and they are always doing fundraisers to raise money. Her mom is also the president of the parent booster club for this group. He presented his first fundraiser to them 3 weeks after he became a distributor and they received approval and scheduled their two weeks for the last of January, trying to time it close to their Valentine’s Day home basketball game.
Here is the exciting part that prompted this story, he just finished this first fundraiser. There were 12 students in this honor choir group, six of which really got on board with this to sell his candles. They finished their 2 week fundraiser with a table set up at that home basketball game and the end result was just under $1300.00 in total sales! Not bad for a brand new 18 year old distributor’s first fundraiser! There are SO MANY opportunities with this business and our candles, not only for us but for the next generation! We have many bright shining young stars that are rising within our Mia Bella family to prove this point, and many proud moms sharing their stories.
This is a business that is not limited by gender or age, it’s only limits are the ones imposed by us, and our mind sets. Remove those limits and pursue the possibilities, they are everywhere! This is a wonderful and fun adventure and every moment of your day with this business is an opportunity! It really is! My newest adventure with this business is discovering a new level of getting in touch with my son, and I love that I was able to add another valuable experience to the resumé of his life. Who knows where it will take him? I don't. But I DO know that this first fundraiser success is the beginning of what could be his own endless possibilities, and as a young business owner, those possibilities and choices are his own. I highly recommend making this a family business! I even catch myself looking at my oldest precocious and charismatic grandson and thinking...hmmmmm
Garrett is sharing the experience. I heard him ask a peer the other day, and I quote, “Dude, do you want to be an employee, or would you rather be a business owner?” And just like that a new mind set is born, full of confidence and self esteem. Garrett isn't working at McDonald’s anymore, he is a legitimate business owner at age 18, that is exciting and powerful to me, and I am so proud of him!
This business has had so many positive impacts on our life, being able to quit my day job last year, having an ever growing retirement now through our residual income, working a very profitable retail business, and fundraisers, the ability for our family to truly make this a family business, and now this latest blessing for Savanah.
I
have attached a picture of our youngest daughter Savanah Rose, who
has cerebral palsy, and other challenging conditions. Her independent
movement outside was very limited because we live in the country and
there is no pavement for her wheelchair, it would get bogged down
in the gravel, even resulting in a couple of nasty spills out of her
wheelchair. We have wanted to increase her independence outside for
several years now but until the success we had with this business
it wasn't in the budget to purchase the expensive equipment that would
allow for that. That has changed as our business has grown and we
were able to purchase this motorized scooter for her last November
and present it to her for her birthday. She calls it her "new
car" and typical teenager, boy does she go!
Now she can take carrots out to the horses and miniature donkeys, (Mary Kay and Bella, Bella is the baby miniature donkey), go where ever she wants in our 3 acre front yard without waiting for someone to be able to take her there, and when Bill sets in his garden this year she will be able to drive out and help him, even bringing back vegetables in her basket to the house, and apples from our orchard in the fall. She will also go with us this summer on our evening walks to the back pasture and meadows, this was not possible before due to the terrain, instead of watching us walk away through the window, and she will be able to go with us, independently! Little things that we might sometimes take for granted, but which were dreams for her. The only challenge will be with Bill and I keeping up with her! The ability to be able to purchase this equipment for her means literally opening up her world, being free to independently enjoy and explore her home beyond the boundaries of walls and windows!
Savanah helps us by greeting customers at some of our shows, labeling
all of our candles, helping me with votive flowers, making fragrance
samples, and she does a mean scented teddy bear. So she worked for
her "new car", but Scent-Sations made her pay off possible.
I have thanked Lynn and Carmine, and Bobby and Charlie many times for what this business has brought to our family, but when I see the picture of Savanah on her Scooter, knowing what that scooter means to her in quality of life, saying "thank you" seems inadequate, so we will continue to do what we are doing now, introducing this business to as many people as we can on a daily basis, so that we can share the "possibilities and dreams" that come with the success of the business you have all given us. Our sincerest thanks are also owed to Jackie, and our ever growing dynamic team of wonderful distributors who ALL had a part of making this happen for Savanah. The success of our business is a result of mutual teamwork, and I'm proud to be partners in success with all of you! Wishing everyone exciting adventures, success, and the blessings of the possibilities that are yours if you simply share our candles and the opportunity with people you meet every day in 2006! If you do this, your possibilities and dreams WILL happen! Just ask Savanah!
Kellene & Bill VanDorn
We conducted an EXTREMELY successful Market Booth Campaign through a very simple marketing plan- A Raffle for a FREE Gourmet Candle that day!
The signage is very easy to coordinate and cost is very minimal for a setup as this. We gathered over 50 names, numbers, and email addresses in only a few hours time, and at least TWENTY of them were ready to start a business from home and wanted more information to get their business started!
That's LOCAL people that we can get plugging in our business very soon!
All we did was stand behind the candles and say to people walking buy, “Want to win a free candle TODAY?”
And
that would get their attention to stop, and we’d immediately get a
key scent under their nose and ask them if they've ever smelt a Mia
Bella. Then as they were filling out the form, we’d ask them questions
about if they ever thought of owning their own business and that these
candles practically sell themselves. That we’re introducing this new
candle to the area and we really need more distributors to help cover
the area.
And THEN, and here's the key to get them in the LOCK, we had them smell a bunch of different scents and they had to write down their favorite scent that they wanted to win! That's what got us the 20+ interested in starting their own candle business!
Funny thing is, we did this exact booth the day before WITHOUT the raffle and didn't get ANY names and numbers and it didn't go very well. With the raffle, this is GOLD! We suggest EVERYONE try this at a BUSY Flea Market, Festival, Trade Show, etc.!
GOOD LUCK WITH THIS, we plan on doing this at least once or twice a month now.
Judy & John Handrahan, TX
Okay so yesterday, I was up trying to sell the last couple of jars I had left from my sample pack so I can re-order a case for an open house I have tomorrow. I sent lynn an e-mail but she's out sick, so lisa called me back on my cell phone to inquire about the e-mail I sent.
Thing is, I was up against the clock and I wanted my stuff to get here by today(lucky me to be in Maryland.) Lisa told me to have my order in by no later than 2:30 so I wouldn't miss the UPS guy. I'm a technician with Verizon so I'm busy while I'm at work so when 1:45 rolled around I was just like there is no way i'll make it. Guess what, Lisa called me back...she called ME yall, after I had given up. That phone call motivated me.
I called someone who said they wanted to purchase but didn't have the money. Come to find out she did have the money and started reminiscing about when she opened the jar. She purchased two. I got her money, traveled from downtown to uptown Baltimore (Took me 10 minutes) to pick up money because people at my wife's job ordered five jars. Then I had to go to the bank.
After all of that it's around 2:35PM, my cell phone rings again when i just finished my transaction at the bank. Guess who? It's Lisa! I placed my order over the phone sitting inside the bank. It was packed and shipped yesterday, and it was delivered today, which saved me around $50 in overnight shipping fees. WOW! WOW! WOW!
Then I got a phone call from someone that purchased a jar and she said I had a customer for life (I'm pitching her and her mom on the COTM as I write). Sorry this email was so long but I'm still pinching myself because Scent-Sations' support system is almost unreal. So that's my story. Thanks for listening. It may not mean a lot to some folks but to know that everybody's got your back around here is worth a million dollars to me because I feel that's what I can achieve with a plan and a lot of hard work.
Jermaine "J.B." Boston
I had been searching for an all natural/gourmet candle for thirteen months, before I came across Sheri Orloff's web site. She has been there for me since the very beginning, and indeed was a strong motivating factor for my signing up. Although I have yet to meet her, we e-mail several times a week, and I know she is in the background if I need her.
The real reason I am writing to you is that I had my first party last Sunday afternoon, at my daughter's home. She invited 15 of her associates for the party. They had heard of natural/gourmet candles, but were not really sure of the benefits. After I stumbled through my first presentation, my wife and I proceeded to sell $715 worth of candles and soaps.
We were literally flabbergasted! Sheri e-mailed me the morning of our first party and told me above all to have fun! We certainly did and we learned so much.
Leads for this business are everywhere. Everyone I talk to is interested either for themselves, or quick to say "I'll give your card to my friend who is right into candles "
I feel very fortunate to have discovered a business that I feel good about...I actually feel I am doing a service to my customers. We are in the process five days after our first party of setting up two more parties. We have three COM prospects, and my seventy six year old mother is busy printing up labels.
This will be my retirement supplement in a few short years.
I sent my daughter eighteen red roses today for her help in the party. She received them on the same UPS truck that delivered our party order, drop shipped to her home in Connecticut.
When she called this afternoon to tell me of the joint deliveries, I don't know if she was more excited about the roses, or the seventeen new scents that had arrived...
You truly have a wonderful product. I am proud to be affiliated with your company and look forward to meeting all of the staff.
PS. Your customer service girls who take the orders are wonderful and so helpful. Congratulations on a company one can be proud of.
Roy Cole, Maine
January 2006, that's when it happened! I was searching on-line for work to do at home. I had looked into several work at home options this past summer only to be disappointed with they had to offer. January 2006 came and the resolution I made to myself was to find something that I love doing...I was searching the want-ads everyday but the thought of the kids (ages 5 & 8) having to go to before & after school care bothered me. I wanted something real, not a scam, no assembling magnets, stuffing envelopes...something real!
I typed "selling candles" into the search and there it was "Absolute Light" I read the entire web site with excitement......could it be.....something real.....real products.....I entered the free candle drawing and checked the interested in selling box. About 20 minutes later Gail called me, she was so nice, answered all of my questions and seemed so happy and proud of what she was doing. Gail told me she would mail out a CD and a sample, but as soon as we hung up I went back on the scent-sations web site and signed up for COTM. I just had a good feeling about this Company and Gail.
Well, now I am selling Bella Bars & candles almost everyday. I just started in mid-January and have already sold over 50 jar candles, over a dozen bella bars and may votives. Everyone loves the product, the feedback has been incredible. Wonderful things I have found out about this product:
I burn candles all the time, I mean all the time! I had a candle burning (a cheapy) during Dec, Jan and my 5 yr. old daughter who suffers from severe allergies, I mean EPI-Pen severe, kept complaining of headaches and her eyes would become irritated & she would get all stuffed up. I associated this with the heat being on not thinking it could be the candle. Well, when my 1st COTM arrived I burned it all week to give it the maximum test. Guess what no puffy eyes, no headaches, no stuffiness! I told this story to Gail and she said I should get busy and write a testimonial. I have been burning only Mia Bella's since and she has not experienced any symptoms.
Bella Bars, I used the Bella Bar that came with the COTM and boy am I hooked! I also used it on my daughter because she suffers from chronic eczema on 70% of her body due to her allergies, it works great on her, her skin looks wonderful, her little hands feel soft and I even wash her hair in it and she doesn't seem to scratch after her bath like she used to. My husband just started using it for his dry scalp he has only used it a couple of times but so far so good. I am taking candles and Bella Bars to my pediatrician and Emilie's allergist as they were always concerned about the severity of her eczema and allergies.
In closing, I would just like to say how thankful I am that I found this Company. I checked them out on every search engine to see if there were any negative articles or scam warnings and I found nothing negative only positives. I am very happy and feel like I found my niche, I am going step by step, day by day and I am very excited to see what it brings!
Sara Lortie
Blackwood, NJ
We joined the middle of January and within two weeks had signed up two people. We sell candles everywhere I go.
Today we:
- took some to a hospital in another state and left some samples. One of the nurses volunteered to have a "book party". She will take the orders and collect the money. I will pick it up next week and order and deliver her candles to her. She's done all the work and I've made the money. She earns credit towards her candles. This is how I plant the seed for future distributors. Once they see how easy it is they will want to do it on their own and I make money either way.
- stopped at our favorite place for lunch, sold some candles and have a great new prospect.
- stopped at the gas station where we always get gas, sold candles and set up another "book party".
- stopped at the place we buy tires, sold candles & a valentine basket. The guy that runs the place blew his other candle out, threw it in the trash and replaced it with a sweet orange and chili pepper.
- took orders for the new warmer and votives while at the eye doctor with my son and will have to go back with samples tomorrow (we were out by the time we got there).
I've been a pastor for 17 years. I love to preach during the Christmas season dressed in a full Santa suit. The kids (and adults) love it and the kids call me “Santa!” I'm also a watch and clock maker and love to make clocks out of many different materials.
I Love network marketing! I got involved I my first direct selling program about 50 years ago and got “bit by the bug!” I've sold cooked meals, home product, Avon and even was one of the original four distributors in the largest toy party plan in the world..and that was 45 years ago!
I knew Bill Day and Al Altomari from previous marketing ventures and when they called to tell me that they had found a “Candle Direct Selling Program”…Well, I was beaming! I knew the power of candles and in my mind just about everyone on the planet was a potential customer with scented candles as my product!
In my 80 years on this planet I've had almost 40 jobs! (Plus 9 years in the Navy). My motto is “Never Digress...Always Progress!”
One of my goals is to purchase an Arcoupe Airplane. Made in 1938, this all aluminum plane is a thing of beauty. It has the first tricycle landing gear and no rudder pedals..in fact, its like a car driven in the air! (They can be purchased on Ebay for between $10,000 and $30,000!)
Curtis Hamel, PA
My name is Al Altomari. My wife and I truly enjoy Mia Bella’s Candles. Every month we are on "pins and needles" awaiting our "surprise package" from Scent-Sations...the Candle of the Month!
Not only are the Mia Bella's candles an incredible product but the personal care items are super. We absolutely LOVE the Bella Bars and my wife says this is the smoothest her skin has ever felt!
I've been in network marketing for many years. In fact, I've marketed just about every possible product there is to market in this industry. Mia Bella's are one of the best products I've ever had the pleasure of marketing and I'm very impressed with the power of the compensation plan.
The way I was introduced to this program was thru another networking friend of mine, Bill Day. He called me one day and said that wanted to meet with me because he had found something that he felt I would be interested in.
Boy, was he RIGHT!
Bill showed me some of the Mia Bellas candles and then we sat down and put the compensation plan to pen and paper and I was wowed. Right there at the restaurant where we met, I got to see the "power of the smell and sell demonstration!" When we showed the waitresses the candles and asked "do you burn scented candles?" Their joy at smelling our candles was impressive!
When I got home I lit the candle I got from Bill(Hot Apple Pie) and for the first time in my 23 year career in network marketing she got excited too!
My wife and I both attended the Fall Fling and we had a blast! Everyone was so friendly and the information was incredible.
Both of us work full time jobs and that is the only part of this business I don't like, the fact that I cant work it full time, YET!
Every day we do something towards furthering our business. We hand out scent sample packs and literature, we sponsor people and now we are receiving monthly residual commission checks that one day can take us out of the rat race!
Al Altomari
When
I opened up my Inbox to find an email from Charlie asking for my story
to publish in the March newsletter, I immediately picked up the phone
and called my sponsor, Kathy Schneider ( who just so happens to be
my mom!) and said “It happened!” Needless to say she was a bit confused,
so I explained further -- “I've been waiting for the day when Charlie
Umphred would ask me to write a story for the newsletter, and it’s
finally happened. Now if only I knew what to say!”
So I thought about it, toiled over it, and finally settled on this. I hope ya’ll like it! My name is Jordan Schneider, and I began my venture with Scent-Sations Inc. back in April of 2005 as a junior in high school. Prior to that I had been helping my mom with her end of the business; addressing envelopes, making daily trips to the post office, printing papers, etc. Thanks to that “high school job” I now am a part of a lifelong business, and I couldn't be more excited!
I worked through the end of the school year, taking the teasing from my friends in stride – they couldn't believe I had actually bought into this “candle thing” – and by the end of the summer I was feeling pretty confident in my abilities. I was organized, I could talk to a prospect without an endless sea of uhs and ums flowing from my mouth, and I could put together a packet in 30 seconds flat. People were signing up and I was starting to reap the profits of my labor. But then school started back up again.
The endless homework and extra-curriculars of my Senior year were taking a serious toll on my business; organization was put off for an extra 30 minutes of sleep, I was lucky to get prospects called at all during the week, and as for packets, well – they remained un-assembled in a basket under my desk. I was dreading the downslide I knew would come over the next 9 months, but I was prepared to coast through the rest of the school year, and pick back up the next summer.
Coincidentally, I left that high school about 1 ½ months later due to some personal reasons and finished up the semester through an independent study program which took about ½ the amount of school time. This allowed me to really get into my business again. I plugged into training calls with some of the top Networkers, purchased leads and have been going non-stop ever since.
I have ridden horses since I was 6 years old, so between 3 afternoons per week at the barn, 16 hours of school (I graduated a semester early and am now attending Texas Tech University here in Lubbock with a major in Marketing) and homework, my hours are very part time! About 15 hours per week on average, sometimes more if the weather isn't good enough to go to the barn that week. This part-time schedule has really helped me realize the beauty of this business; that you really don't need a lot of time to make it work and be successful!
It’s all about sitting down and making out a plan. When you don't have a lot of time you need to make the most of what little time you do have. If you are not organized you will look up at the end of the day and ask yourself “Where did the time go?” Thanks to this system, I've found I am actually more productive on a tight schedule than when I have all day to spend in the “office” (a desk in the corner of my bedroom).
Charlie also asked me to include why I like Scent-Sations. Well Charlie, I hate to disappoint you but I don't like this company, I LOVE it! It has provided me with so many opportunities that it would take pages for me to describe them all. The most prominent opportunity though is the financial security I know I will achieve. I have not a doubt in my mind that I will be a Director by the time I graduate from college (May 2008). How awesome is that?
I am so grateful for this wonderful company, and so excited about the future it holds for me and my family!
Thank you,
Jordan Schneider
Several years ago, my brother, a successful business man who is highly respected by all who know him, came to me with a network marketing business opportunity. I had always worked in the corporate world and although I was familiar with the concept of multi-level marketing/network marketing, it was all a brand new experience for me. We were with what promised to be a top company, on the fastest growing team and were we pumped! We were growing like gang-busters and I thought, “I can do this!” We began to build our organization and loved the company, the people, and the product was something most everyone used. Life was great, and we were on the fast track! Well, lo and behold, the marketing guru at the top of our organization got “cross-ways” with the owners of the company, and well, I won’t bore you with the details. I never knew emotions could run such a gamut. I was crushed. What about all of my dreams? What would I do now? Not to mention the family and friends who trusted me. I was embarrassed, disappointed, depressed and just tried to put it behind me and go on. Life happens, right?
In the back of my mind, I knew network marketing was ingenious, but I felt like I had been betrayed, and I wouldn't set myself up for that sort of disappointment again. After all, I had worked so hard to get where I was, then, BAM, it was over! I just had to “get over it!”
Continuing on in my corporate world, I was getting where I thought I wanted to be, making decent money and held the company in high esteem. Life could sure be worse, but I just knew there was something else “out there” for me. In search of the perfect home based business which I could do part-time in the beginning, I found a nutritional supplements company and really liked using the products, so I started to do some advertising, started building an organization (again) BUT, I found out in a hurry that I didn't need, nor could I personally consume or sell, the dollar amount of products required for purchase every month in order to keep me qualified to receive my monthly commissions. Although I continue to use the products to this day, I knew that business opportunity was not the right one for me.
With some experience under my belt, I now believed that I knew the key ingredients to being successful in the network marketing world. All I had to do was continue on my search, all along knowing that my past experiences were merely stepping stones to get me where I wanted to be. I believe in the Law of Attraction and goal setting and by keeping an open mind, I knew I would find “IT” someday…or it would find me!
In June of 2004, I received an email from someone I’d never met, and it was all about a company fairly new in the network marketing arena with a “healthy alternative” in the candle world. They said it was made from vegetables, beeswax and other renewable materials and that their candles don't produce that awful black soot like other candles do, PLUS it would cost UNDER $40 a month to maintain my distributorship status! WOW! Ok, here I go getting very excited but going cautiously through every page and link on the person’s web site that came to me through the email. I COULDN’T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY! The products sounded awesome, the owners of the company put it all out on the table, so to speak, and the compensation plan was the very best I’d ever seen. I signed up, ordered a case of the jar candles (the Fast Start Package was not available then, nor was the totally wonderful Sample Bag) and sold the first case of candles in two days and had orders for more. Making 100% profit was definitely going to work for me. Honestly, there were so many ways to work MY NEW BUSINESS, I couldn't decide which to do, so I promised myself I’d DO THEM ALL and committed to doing this business for 5 years at which time I would re-evaluate. I wrote down some pretty hefty goals and I started by retailing to friends and family and hosted an open house. At the end of the evening, I figured out that I had just made $125 per hour (in profit)! My corporate salary is good, but they don't pay me $125 per hour!
How about fundraising? When I started making a list of local organizations and just a quick, off-the-top-of-my-head kind of listing, I thought, “I'm going to be losing some sleep over this business!” There's an entire training section in the distributor’s back office, so the “how to” is already there for everyone to duplicate. WOW! This thing just keeps getting better!
In addition to the above, what about residual income? Now, that's what I'm looking for! So here I have a company I totally believe in, cutting edge products that sell with a 5 second demonstration (!) and a compensation plan that just keeps getting better and better.
My husband recently retired from a Fortune 500 Company after working for them for 30 years and now helps me with this business! I, too, will retire from the corporate world in a very short period of time thanks to the opportunity I've been given with this Candle Lover’s Dream Business!
I say all of this just so you will know that this opportunity is available to you, too. It’s a business for the every day person. You don't have to be a super star or spend a fortune to become very successful. We have an awesome team to help you with setting your goals and helping you achieve your dreams. There's nothing magical about what I do to make money with this company, but there is something magical with the way it feels knowing I will, without a sliver of a doubt, reach every one of my goals, and DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
Becca Mutz
If you are a mom (or even a dad!) building an MLM business and wondering how to keep balance and sanity in your life, then this MLM training segment was written just for you. So, let's chat - mom to mom.
First, let me share a little of my story so you'll know that I've "been there, done that" and am not talking some MLM theory. I've built my business through baby number one, a pregnancy, baby number two, and on up to my current position of one teenager and one pre-teen. All the while, my kids were at my feet and I was home with them. Simple? No! Fast growing? Nope! Worth it? Every second!
Perhaps like you, when my husband and I decided to have children, we were adamant that one of us would be home with them. Since he was the major breadwinner, that meant I would be home. And, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
But, it's hard to make it on one income, so I began looking for a business. Long story short, MLM kept coming up, and although I was skeptical, I educated myself and jumped in.
Today, I am happy to be among the ranks of the six figure MLM income earners, but it didn't happen overnight; it wasn't easy; and there were many times along the way that I wanted to quit. Does this sound familiar to you?
Here are some ideas that I hope will help you as you move along your MLM journey, especially as a mom building strong kids and a strong business.
1. Get very clear on your reason why. This will sustain you when someone tells you no, or things get slow. Make sure your why is very powerful to you and that it means more to you than what anyone else might say or think. For me, the ability to create a fabulous lifestyle for my family and to never have my kids in day care meant more to me than anyone else's opinion.
2. Realize that as a mom with small children, you will have to balance and prioritize in a different way. Communicate with your sponsor and your team about your commitment, your priorities and how you will balance the two. Never feel the need to compromise your values in building your MLM business. I didn't and you don't have to either.
3. Get organized. And, I mean in every area of your life. Organize your business and your life. Set up one calendar with everything about home and business. Mark out times that are strictly family, and every other non-negotiable time in your life. Then, (and this is important) find times each day that you will work your business. Commit to these times, no matter how small the time frame. Be consistent and don't procrastinate.
4. Ask for help in anyway that you can. Talk to your spouse about taking the kids for an hour so you can make calls. Talk about splitting up household duties differently. Invest in help as your budget allows. I know hiring a cleaning lady was a priority for me as my business and profits grew. The grocery store can help with this. Buy pre-chopped fresh vegetables; marinated meats; and whatever you can to make things simpler. I am a stickler on healthy meals and nutrition, so I have never resorted to the "fast food" syndrome. Get a crock-pot and use it! Make healthy, delicious meals a snap.
5. Form a babysitting coop with other moms in your area. Then, use it and reciprocate. I used the times I babysat other kids as playtime for my kids, and then used the times when my kids were at a friend's to work my business. This was an amazing resource for me as my kids never felt like they were at a babysitters. They just saw it as a play date with someone from the play group.
6. Set clear goals and intentions for your business. As Yoda said to Luke in Star Wars II, "There is no try. There is only do, or do not." Same for your business. Make success non-negotiable. It's a marathon, and not a sprint. So what if it takes you seven years to become a top income earner, or hit your income goal. Will it be any less worth it? NO! Make it happen.
7. Work on Self Development. MAKE time for it. If you look for time in your schedule, it will never happen. You must make time for your business and make time for the very important task of developing your mind set and growing your business from the inside out. This is the single MOST important ingredient in your business.
8. Use technology - Today, with the Internet and all of the tools out there, keeping in touch: delivering timely information to your prospects; training to your team and even putting yourself out there so that people who are ready and looking for a business NOW can find you through the search engines. Do NOT let technology scare you. I had moderate success in MLM doing it the "old fashion" way. I created a full time income, but not "obscene money." Today, using the Internet exclusively in my business, I'm a VERY HAPPY Six Figure Income Earner working about 30 hours a week. I'm able to work fewer hours than the "typical networker" because I let technology be my sales force and "PR People!"
9. Get your kids involved - From the time kids are two, and maybe even younger, you can find helpful, fun and educational ways to get them involved in your business. In my business, toddlers can place labels on brochures, the bottom of candles and other products, envelopes, etc. They can fold letters, stamp postcards, and have a great time "working" alongside of mom. Relax, and let go of your perfectionism. When was the last time you paid any attention to how straight the stamp is on a letter you received in the mail? Get them involved in non-business activities, too. My 13 year old son made dinner for our family the other night. Now, if you are thinking he pulled out the box of Mac-n-Cheese, think again. He made baked chicken with Apricot/Mango Sauce; Quinoa; Green Beans with Pine Nuts and Red Peppers and a salad with goat cheese. I'm really not kidding. I LOVE to cook and have always loved having my children cook right alongside of me. Now, he is ready to do his own thing. Imagine what kind of time that offers me!
10. Compare yourself to no one! This is so important. Who are you competing with? Only yourself. That's truly it because competing with anyone else is like apples and oranges. Everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, life challenges, ambition and goals. Comparing yourself to anyone else is a waste of energy. If you must compare, then use yourself and your past accomplishments as the measuring stick. Track your steps and then strive for more each week. Your business will soar!
11. Reward yourself. Life is meant to be fun and so is business. In the beginning, it's more difficult to set income goals, because you are building the foundation. This was always frustrating to me, until I discovered that by setting activity goals in the beginning, I could track my progress and feel good about the steps I was taking along the way to make things happen. And, as my action steps picked up, the rewards kept coming, and my business kept growing, producing those earlier elusive income goals. So, look inward and take outward action. Get busy charting your own game plan and focus forward. Along the way, treat yourself for a job well done. And, it doesn't have to be extravagant. Make it fun, though!
12. Believe in the power of your dream. The subconscious mind is a funny thing. It does not know the difference between what is real and imagined. So, since YOU are the one who controls your thoughts, daydream some powerful thoughts. Let your mind go nuts as you wander through your own field of dreams. And, while you are "there," BELIEVE it! Believe it and it will come true.
As a mom, you have the ability to offer the greatest gifts of all to your children and your family. You have the ability to raise happy, wholesome and educated children. You have the ability to contribute to the family income without the need for make-up, pantyhose, or glass ceilings. What a relief! You truly have the ability to "have it all" and "have enough" without compromising your children along the way. Grasp the opportunity before you! I promise, you will never regret it.
Jackie Ulmer
Expect Success!
Recently my sponsor emailed me as asked me just exactly HOW MANY candles did I sell this past candle season?
My response to her was 21 cases +2 and that's only jars!
Her logical next question was how did I do it.
Hmmm...I can remember back right around Labor Day thinking to myself if I sold 20 cases that would be $2000 profit. That would be fun! I put the vibrations in the universe and didn't think of it again for about 3 months. Plus the phone rang. It was someone wanting to buy candles!
I frequently say that this business found me and it keeps doing that
month after month after month! Now you may be thinking that's great
for me but what about you.
Here's my secret: AKP.
AKP. Always Keep Promoting. You can have the best products in the world, (which, of course, we do) but if nobody knows about them and that you're selling them how can they buy them?
So how do I promote? I've tried most of the methods I was taught by my upline, shows, fundraisers, home parties, etc. I also joined the Chamber of Commerce when I first got started and found my own niche. I love networking groups. I have developed a strategy for working networking groups that just keeps giving me business in a variety of ways. Some people buy candles for themselves or for gifts. Other people tell me of other events where I can sell candles and promote my business. I've even had traditional retailers come up to me at meetings and ask how they can carry the candles!
My second secret: I don't sell the candles. I let the candles sell themselves! These candles smell so wonderful I don't have to sell them but I do have to get them in places where people can smell them. That's how I get my exercise. I take candles with me to every event I attend. It could be a votive in my pocket, a bouquet of votive roses, or a couple cases of jars I wheel into a meeting with my luggage cart.
But I think the real reason I sold so many candles last fall was because I was having fun! I've been in other network marketing programs before but none of them had a product that I could retail so easily. And Yes I mean EASILY. I'm not a candle-a-holic like my sponsor so I was a bit surprised to learn how many people love candles and how much they love them.
Would you like to sell more candles? Always Keep Promoting, let the candles sell themselves and have fun!
Susan Stuhr
I made an appointment to show our Mia Bella candle & bath products to owners Becky & Dave Barrett. They loved them for their historic Bed & Breakfast in Wallingford, CT called "The Wallingford Victorian". They were thinking of retailing a line of products for the b&b that would be a perfect fit to sell to guests that come from all over the world to get a little rest & relaxation in the beautiful, quiet and small New England town of Wallingford located in south central Ct.
The candles look great with the old style Victorian setting of antique lace & molded wood paneling. They also plan to open a day spa which would also prosper from having the wonderful scents of the candles burning while being massaged & pampered. They offer weekend specials & were thinking of including Mia Bella candles as a part of a weekend retreat to the guests. They get a bottle of wine from a local winery, gift certificates from local restaurants & now can get Mia Bella candles for their luxurious stay! They also interact with other Bed & Breakfasts in Connecticut so they may be influential in getting more opportunities for Mia Bella candles in many B&Bs! The roses in the photo are wax roses I made from our votives which are also for sale there!
Doreen Gayer
This is really simple and inexpensive. We went to a craft store and purchased small ziplock bags and small candy molds. We melted down 2 votives on low heat, then poured them into the molds. We allowed them to dry & set then popped them out. We put 1-2 per bag, labeled the scent, and stapled it to a business cards.
We sold 6 candles in 2 days and booked our first party. We also have a group considering a fundraiser. This may not seem like a big deal to some, but we found these samples much more appealing and it seems like everyone we hand out we at least sell a votive to. We hope to increase our sales considerably this way. I even sold a jar and booked a party to someone that I've been persuing about the business for months. I gave her some of the grated votive samples and got no response. However, when we gave her the shaped sample, she just went wild. She bought one, her friend bought one, and now she called tonight about the party. I think this has been a big boost to get us kick started! Thanks for taking the time to hear about our success.
Kelly & Luke Godfrey
Sheronda Herron is an exceptional woman. She started her business by doing a "trial" party with product she purchased from me. She signed up and has been planning her work and working her plan ever since. Her goal is to be able to stay at home with her kids.
Over the last few months Sheronda's retail business has been growing at a steady pace. She plans her party's and sends out e-vites to everyone. She has an assistant that comes and helps her at her party's because there is usually in excess of 50 people in attendance. She has games planned, offers coupons and discounts for people who book their party at the event.
Not only does she succeed with the original party but she leaves that party with at least 3 others booked for the coming weeks.
This last Saturday she had her most successful party, she sold nearly $2000 worth of candles! While this may not be the "norm" in purchases for her party's, Sheronda has seen steady growth with each party she does.
I am attaching her email to my message board, please excuse her typo's because she was VERY excited when she shared this with out team.
When I spoke with Sheronda on the phone yesterday we discussed that if she had 3 party's a month like this one she would be able to quit her job and replace her income with her profits from her business. So when she emailed me this morning and told me that she had just been laid off from her job, she wasn't upset at all. In fact she believes that this is validation of her and her business based on this last weekend.
It's also important to note that 3 hours after she was laid off, she got another order from that party for over $300 which would bring her total for the party to nearly $2300!
Sheronda is a perfect example of making a plan and then working the plan. Her plan is to succeed and I have no doubt that she will do that.
I know you have many stories like this for the newsletter, however I hope that this Team Member and Team Player can be included in next months Newsletter. She has worked very hard and her efforts and Scent Sations has given her the opportunity to reach her goals. Her positive attitude and passion for our products is something that every person involved with Scent Sations should emulate!
Sincerely,
Cherrie Fishlowitz
Letter from Sheronda:
Cherrie, I can not thank you enough for your support. I know that in my heart of hearts I could have never gotten this far without your support. So, I owe all my success to you.
Now as for my party, I got $ 1, 969.12 in orders. I do have a lot of the product already but for what I don't have I will place those orders tonight. I have over $300-$500 dollar in orders for Long Stem Roses due by Monday, so business is booming. I gave the hostess 20% off her order and the young lady that I have recruited to help me with my order I will be giving her the White Lily & Jasmine Long Stem Roses for her Birthday which is Thursday.
I got 4 more people to sign up to have a party and the teacher at this school is going to speak with the principal to see if they could get the cafeteria so that I could do a party for the faculty.
My overview of this party was a HUGE success! And if any of the other
ladies have the opportunity to do them I would advise them to do so.
But, I feel the key to a successful Candle Party is your passion for
the candle and the success in you to build your business. Candle parties
are like my 9-5. I tell everyone who signs my calendar to host a party
that if for any reason they can not keep this day they must give me
2 weeks notice. I understand things happen but this is my job/business.
I take it very serious. My paycheck comes from my party.
One game I did was I had everyone put their name on paper and I purchased a little shopping cart and had my hostess draw a name and the person pick a gift. The gifts were inexpensive items that I picked up and wrapped for their homes.
Again, thank you!
Sheronda Herron
We played 'Pictionary' with the scent names and it was SO much fun! It's also great because everyone gets familiar with the scent names before smelling the samples.
Supplies needed:
- A large flipchart pad or dry erase board (I prefer the flipchart because I use it for my presentation before we play)
- An easel (or in my case, a husband)
- Colored markers
- Scent lists
- Squares of paper with each of the scent names (about 2" x 2" works well)
- Squares of paper with numbers which are prize codes (Ex: if you are giving away 6 votives, 2 bella buns and a jar candle, you would need six 1's, two 2's and one 3.)
- 2 Paper lunch bags - 1 for scent names, 1 for prize slips
How to play:
- Hand out scent lists to everyone.
- The distributor (or the host, if he/she is willing) goes first.
- Reach into the bag of scent names (pray it's not Sex on the Beach) and choose a slip. Use the colored markers to draw on the board. Try to get the guests to guess what scent you have.
- Whoever gets it right gets to choose a slip from the prize bag and is the next to draw.
- When you are out of prizes, the game is over. At that point, using the above example, you ask who has slips with "1" on them and give a votive for each "1" they have. (I allowed people to win multiple times, it's your choice.) Give a Bella Bun to the people with a "2" and announce whoever has the "3" wins the grand prize jar candle (I thought about letting them choose the scent but I thought it was better to have one ready to present and let them leave their favorite scent for their order form! Choose a scent that is widely liked: french vanilla, hot apple pie, etc. and also remember what time of year it is.)
No - nobody got Sex on the Beach at my party, but someone did get Fig Wisteria. Try drawing that! So like I said, it went over really well and everyone was intently staring at their sheets trying to guess.
Thanks,
Cindy Jackson
I just thought I would give a personal testimony about the Bella Bars. I have read the others about clearing up acne and of course I could not wait to try it for myself. My entire life, I have been battling acne, have seen a number of dermatologists, been on prescription drugs and so many facial cleansers it's a shame. Of course at 29, I do not suffer nearly as much as I used to, but I still do get the occasional bumps and seem to keep red bumps around my jaw line constantly and I keep my hair long just to help cover up.
Well, I began using the Bella Bar on my face (I have NEVER ever used soap on my face) when I received my first COTM shipment the last week of January. Now, 3 weeks later, I am happy to say that my face is completely CLEAR of any and all bumps, even the ones along my jaw line. I have been wanting to get my hair cut in a cute short style, but have been reluctant because of the bumps I could not get rid of. Well, look out short hair....here I come and I am a living witness what our Scent-Sational Bella Bar can do!
I am so excited to be a distributor for such an amazing product, that I can truly stand behind and give an honest testimony each time I approach someone.
Many Blessings,
Misty
I wash my hands probably 50 to 60 times a day which is a real improvement for me. I touch something and I have to wash them, they used to just crack and bleed especially in the winter. I now live in a place where there is no humidity and my skin is dry, I could write my name anywhere on my body no matter how much cream or how expensive it was, that I used. Now I only use the bella bar for everything and my hands never crack and bleed, are soft and my whole body is totally losing that dryness people tend to have here. No white writing anywhere! Nothing helped before the Bella Bar!
Blessings,
Mary Beth
My sister-in-law recently moved from Texas to Mississippi where we live. She works for a large furniture company and for the past several years has always insisted that I join her at the company and become a sales person "With your outgoing personality and charm you would make tons of money Debbie. Why don't you apply and join us?" Naturally, I always refused her gracious invitation. Well, three weeks ago when she relocated, Charlotte had to spend a night at our house. I prepared her bathroom with fresh towels, cloths and a Mystic Melon Bella Bar. As soon as she emerged from her bath she said "Wow, that soap I used to bathe with smells incredible what is that? Is that what you sell? Ya'll, my skin feels so smooth and I smell delicious. Can I buy one?" (Little did she know, but the Bella Bug bite her on the butt!!!!). She bought a Bella Bar that night.
A week goes by and I get a phone message from Charlotte, my sister-in-law. It goes like this - "Yea Debbie this is Charlotte. I am just in love with that soap. Listen, can you put aside three more Mystic Melon soaps for me. In fact, a girlfriend of my is coming to town on Saturday and I always buy her a little something when we get together. Can you put together a 16 oz candle, a Mystic Melon and brochures and business cards cause she's a big shot at her company and I'm really sure that she could help your business a lot. She's gonna love em like I do! Debbie, please call me back when you get this message".
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN......THE BALL IS ROLLING IN MISSISSIPPI!!!
Doing the Bella Boogie,
Debra & Mark Siler
My husband Mike is an engineer at a local factory and one day he went into work and told ONE person that he was taking his wife to a "candle convention" which led to...2 cases in orders, 48 votives, bella bars...and there is more where that came from!
All he had to do was bring in some samples...next thing I knew, we were "in business" in a big way! This is what is so great about having a Scent-Sations business; finally, a product you can sell and be proud of! Never have we done a company where this has been possible; cash sales with a simple "smell and sell" demo. I'm proud of my husband...he's getting into it and I'm taking him to Spring Fling!
Having fun in New Hampshire,
Julie and Mike Andrews
Hello everybody, It's Christina Valone from Long Island. I would just like to say wow can you believe it is February already? I had a great 2005 My downline is doing great and I would just like to say thanks to everybody. I am going to give a special thanks to Rene Paccione, she put together a big fundraiser for her daughter Jessica's dance team. The girls sold so many jars and raised tons of money.
Now that is it 2006 I can't wait to see what Scent-Sations is going to come out with. I just love getting a new scent every month. I can't keep them longer then a few hours. My customers love new things. People always say "Do you have any candles? " and I say "Sure how many would you like?" The more they Smell the more they Buy! I always tell Charlie, What works for me is Smell and Sell!
Christina, Chris and Angelina Mia
Hello,
my husband is currently in Mosul, Iraq and is expected home at the
end of March of 2007. He is with the 2-150th Field Artillery out of
Lebanon, IN. Our servicemen have been gone since the beginning of
October of 2005 for their training and they flew over there the first
of January.
A big majority of the men who are over there with our unit, including my husband, just came home from a homeland defense mission at the end of April of 2005. They had been on that deployment for 2 years. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the support that your company shows ALL of our servicemen and women. They truly are AMERICAN HEROES and in turn makes us all proud to be americans ourselves.
I am very active myself between our 3 boys (5, 4, and 5, months), and
the volunteer work I do. If I didn't keep busy and keep pressing on
I think somedays would be very difficult. My husband is quick to recite
Joshua 1:9 to me to make me well aware that he is not afraid of whatever
is done and it is all in God's will. I do a lot here in Indianapolis
with church military support groups, community support and involvement,
as well as I am involved with Operation Military Kids and Co-Chair
of the Family Readiness Group for our unit. So on behalf of all the
groups and as a sponsor of our unit, please know that our families
and men THANK YOU!
God Bless,
Nicole Hiatt
Sgt. Michael Hiatt ARNG
I
think my husband should be honored as a hero! He has been serving
in the army national guard for over ten years now. He is a very brave
and outstanding individual. He served in Iraq for over thirteen months
and has spent many weeks over seas in different countries. He is a
wonderful man! He has received the army commendation medal three times
for his outstanding courage. Please add him to your list! His name
is Sgt. John Kelly Fulmer of Richton, MS.
Thank you,
Kayla Fulmer
01. Jackie Ulmer, CA |
08. Gail Wahl, CA |
01. Basilica of St. Michael, PA |
06. Jacquie Osgood, CA 07. Sensational Gifts, NV 08. Bonnie Prevatt, MD 09. William & Clothyle Haney Jr, TX 10. Thomas Martin, PA |
My name is Susan Lecuyer, I am a Diamond Distributor from Springfield MA, and this is how I came to Mia Bella. My story started about 14 years ago. I was the General Manager of a 305 room luxury hotel overseeing over 900 staff. I was making 6 figures plus a year. I had achieved my goals but I was working 15 hrs 6 days a week and the hotel was my life but I had made it, or so I thought. Life has a way of stepping in and giving you that big reality check. Mine came late one night in the kitchen area of the hotel where a waitress had dropped a plate of Cole Slaw and left it on the floor.The area wasn't lit very well as the kitchen was now closed and I never saw that plate. I woke up the next day in the hospital with 4 disks in my lower back destroyed. It was the beginning of a long and painful journey.
We can fast forward about 7 years, 2 spinal fusions, months flat on my back in recovery and tons of physical therapy and living with chronic pain, I'm finally ready to go back to work . I had lots of limitations but I was ready. Again, life would step in and give me that fateful reality check. I was told I was unhireable. I would never work again because I was too much of a liability. So there I was unemployable, with a disability and living with chronic pain. I had gone from having it all to nothing. My life was in shambles. I've never been one to give up and after abut a month of feeling sorry for myself I got it together and started over.
I started with a booth at a local flea market on Sundays selling antiques and oriental collectibles. I did very well and eventually got into importing and wholesaling and also had a collectable shop. It wasn't too bad I did well, I could work my own hours and when my back had a bad day,I just stayed home. I also became an Ebay trading assistant and sold other peoples antiques for them. I did well with those things for years but I just wasn't happy with what I was doing I was looking for something else.
I met my sponsor Mary Leedy online towards the end of 2004, online we talked back and forth for a while and we really clicked. I wasn't a big candle person, I liked scented candles and I did burn them whenever I could but something about this company caught my attention, as a matter of fact it screamed at me to jump in. I did and have never looked back. It had its ups and downs in the beginning, but I had a vision and a desire to make it work I love doing fairs and festivals because I am a people person and when you mix the candles in with people the results are amazing. Not only do I make really good money, but I make lots of new acquaintances and my customer base just keeps growing. I'm also heavily into recruiting because I know down the line I may not be able to get out to the fairs and festivals due to my back, so I am defiantly planning for future income. I have a growing team of great distributors who I hope have a long and positive relationship with.
Which brings me here today, I've just had back surgery again this month (January) where they have implanted a neurostimulator into my spine. Its purpose is to cut off the pain transmissions from my back to my brain so hopefully my chronic pain will be gone. I have to stay in bed for about 6 weeks and I am allowed up for 15mins 3 times a day. I've been spending my time growing my business, sending emails, getting CD Packets ready to go and a lot of time on the phone talking to prospective new business partners. The day I returned from the hospital I had a new sign up! How cool is that? Just this week I have welcomed another new member to my team, and also have 2 more ready to go. Yes, from bed! So you see you can work this business from just about anywhere.
I still have a vision even though it's direction has changed from where I started from 14 years ago. Now in 2006 my mind is locked onto the ultimate goal.to be a Director with Mia Bella. I plan to be back on my feet for the Spring Fling where I can spend a few days with some of the great friends I've made in the past year and hopefully make lots of new friends. My journey started long before Mia Bella ever was but life has a way of showing you the path that was intended for you. Its taken 14 years for me to get here and it wasn't easy or pleasant most of the time, but I've found life has a way of bringing you home. I'm proud to say with Mia Bella I've found a place I like to call home.
I hope to see you all at Spring Fling
Susan Lecuyer
