Consistency is the Key!

I just had a great discussion with a new distributor on our team that set goals for the first month and has hit a home run.  They finally understood all my tips and subtle hints from the past.  They now understand our love for the network marketing industry.

Network Markeing (SendOutCards for us) is the only business we know where an average every day person like us, can build a solid business without having to invest a huge amount of money with risk.  Network Marketing is NOT a get rich quick business, but it is one that you can reach your dreams, if you do 3 things:

1. GET STARTED

2. NEVER QUIT

3. KEEP WORKING YOUR BUSINESS DAILY

Pretty simple, but consistency is the key. We have a plan that we share with each new member of our team. We look at their goals and we shoot for the stars. This week, we're off to Las Vegas for our SOC Convention and will miss you!  Consider joining us... and that way you can be with us in Vegas, the next cruise, and VIP trip.

We are cheering you on!
--Danielle

PS: I attached this photo floating around the internet/Facebook and I love it.  Everything we know in the world is set up in a 'pyramid.' The one thing that always has attracted me to Network Marketing is I'm on my own... our success is due to our efforts and we can promote before the guy 'ahead' of us.  In the corporation we'd have to wait for others to be promoted (move or die) in order move up.... In Network Marketing, we are in charge of our success and promotions. WHOO HOO!

Want details on OUR business opp with SendOutCards? Click here!

Franchise vs. SOC

Hi Friends - I can't take credit for this information, but I felt it important to share.  The details from today's post is from an email from our SOC mentor, Jordan Adler.

"In this turbulent economy, one option to diversify would be to start a franchise. I personally think network marketing is a better option however just in case you're interested, here's some startup info. Keep in mind, it may take you 3-5 years to break even and you'll never experience residual income. You'll have to manage employees and do your own payroll and accounting. Don't forget, you'll have to sign leases and pay lawyers and franchise fees.

Before you sign up for one of these programs, you may want to consider that having a network marketing business requires none of this, has a residual component AND costs under $1000 to start (and by the way, the earning potential is significantly higher in network marketing).

So here are some options for you: 

1. Snap On Tools $135,390  # of locations 3,392
2. 7-Eleven $393,800  # of location 6,142
3. Aaron's $420,725 # of locations 1,749
4. Panera Bread $1,447,770 # of locations 1, 379
5. Servpro $156,250 # 1,571
6. McDonald's $1,480,625 # of locations 14,016
7. Liberty Tax Service $63,350 # of locations 3,592
8. Merry Maids $66,600 # of locations 943
9. The Maids Interntional $106,420 # of locations 1,053
10. Jimmy John's $395,500 # of locations 1,130

Please let me know if you need any more info on any of these opportunities. :) By the way, they are legally not allowed to tell you how much money you can make . . . but they have to tell you that you may lose all your money and that you probably won't break even for 3-5 years. "

Forget about the financial impact, instead take a look at your time freedoms... do you have it? Are you missing out on something or someone important in your life?  Anything worth having is worth time and love - where will you be in 3 to 5 years?  Probably the same place if you don't take the first step in a new direction.

These franchise have a huge range of investment cash, what if you could find the same opportunity with SendOutCards... for an investment of $295.  Check out the details on the business opportunity by clicking here.

Cheering you on! Shoot for the Moon -

Danielle & Family

Email Me Questions

Thank You for MY Card

As THE card sender, I was floored today to receive a SendOutCards "big card" in the mail. WOW - I'm speechless.  Take a peek at my Thank You video.

I am blessed!
xoxo, Danielle

Bucket List - Live for Today!

Hi Friends and Followers -

Today's entry is short & sweet... My life lesson after an afternoon of skydiving: LIVE FOR TODAY. Tomorrow... Some day... is not promised. I've experienced too many life lessons this year and regret actions I did not take w/ people I care about - and now because of different tragedies and losses, I know longer have that moment.

I tried to put some photos of my Sky Diving Adventure in a photo slide show: Click here to share in my adventure!

Never let anyone ground you from your dreams!
Hugs, Danielle

California Dave & Danielle at 13,500 feet and free-falling one minte @120 mph

I AM a Network Marketer & Proud

This is our family and I couldn't be prouder to be in direct sales and of our company, SendOutCards! --Danielle

"Network Marketing provides me with a unique opportunity to create a business with LOW START UP COSTS and with VERY LITTLE RISK. I can work it PART TIME until it takes over the income we receive from a job. I can build a RECESSION-PROOF business for myself but have MANY OTHERS who have a VESTED INTEREST in my SUCCESS. I can LIVE and work ANYWHERE WE WANT, always be around POSITIVE PEOPLE and have an ongoing PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN. I can do what I want, when I want, where I want and enjoy an adventurous LIFESTYLE. I can create FINANCIAL SECURITY and show others how to do the same. I can HELP OTHERS live a better life with a business that is no respecter of persons meaning they can come from Yale or they can come from Jail. My business plays no favorites. It treats everyone the SAME but rewards those who PERFORM. I am NETWORK MARKETING!"

 -MLM Blueprint/Kody Bateman

Our Best Investment

Busy month with the holidays, but this post by friend Brian Cook seems timely as you make plans for 2012....  Keep reading.

"Most people live in regret and everyone wishes they would have not passed up on an opportunity.

There's an old saying that if you don't act now, then you'll probably never act. I was doing some research today about some companies that were small less than ten years ago that are now houseld names doing millions - billions in profit yearly. I looked at two, nine years ago Netflix was trading at $7.72 a share. Today $247.60! Then there's Apple, you've probably heard of them. Nine years ago they were trading at $7.25 a share. Today $332.19!

WOW! I'm just curious how would have it feel if you have invested in either company just 9 years ago. Better yet how would it feel if you would have invested $500 and got paid just a nickel off every DVD rented or iPod sold? Most people would say HECK YA I'd be SET for life. I'd be retired, living in my dream home, driving my dream cars and taking my dream vacations.

Guess what?

I know the next company that's going to do that!

So what's easier for you to keep putting off your dreams or talk to me to see what the heck I'm talking about.

If you are curious of what this company is....ASK!"

You've heard our story and what abundances have come our way in just a year.  An old coach used to say "Should have, Could have, Would have never won a ball game." Don't miss out on a chance to make a difference for your family. Allow us to share more details as you plan for SOC-cess in the new year. 
All my best - Danielle

Keys to Abundant Living

“Three keys to more abundant living:
caring about others,
daring for others,
sharing with others.”
       --William Arthur Ward

Amazing that our business allows us to do all and make a differnce for our family. We hope you have the same success - if not, we're here to help you.

Shoot for the Moon - Danielle & Tim

Seize the Moment (video)

Success = Preparation + Opportunity. 

Take a peek at my diary entry - We compared a football game between Iowa & Iowa State this weekend, but no matter the analogy, what are you waiting for?  If an opportunity is there, take it - if you don't, someone else will.  Follow the "What If!"  The "What If" is what changed things for our family and whatever your "What If," I hope it does the same for you too.

Cheering you on, Danielle

Excitement & Can't Sleep

Have you ever been so excited that you can't go to sleep? I guess that is me tonight. We had a great team call and shared the scoop from the SendOutCards convention in August. All I can say to quote Martin Luther King, Jr. "The time is now."  WOW!  Eric Worre shared at conventiond that SOC is at the tipping point of success.  Although we joke about SOCs comparison to Netflix, it is true. If you knew what you knew about Netflix years ago and that you'd be making $ on every DVD sent out, you would have joined.  Well, that is the time with SendOutCards.

While we all judge our succes differently, we all have goals. (Refer that that Blog entry.) Look at the position in your company, look at the volume or sales.... How are you working your business? Are you treating it like a business or are you treating it like a hobby?  You will paid appropriately. 

Whatever your goals, what would happen if you doubled your efforts?  What if you sent 2 cards a day vs. one, what if you sent 2 gifts a week vs. one... what if you did double the gift-account walk-thrus..?  How would your business be different?  We all have motivation.  If a child was sick and you needed $ money, you'd work your business differently to achieve it... How can you use that same idea of motivation for goals to reach those you've set?

We've challenged ourselves and I challenge you to see what you can do for your business within the next three months... yep, 90 days!  How can you double your efforts to double your rewards?

We are here! Yes, we cheer you on; however, we are here to coach, brainstorm and help you achieve your goals as you shoot for the moon.

All our best,

Danielle

My Gratitude Journal - shared entries

Do you have a Gratitude Journal? If not, I encourage you to get one. You can see details in an earlier blog post, but it doesn't have to be fancy.  Just get a notebook and give yourself 5 minutes when you start your day to reflect on all your blessings... big or small.  Click here to see my journal as I read some entries, but you can create a list or write in a narrative. In these simple five minutes, watch how your day will change... your outlook... the way you appreciate what you have.  There is nothing fancy to my journal (seen here or on the video), but a place for me to write my thought & appreciate all that we have.

Thinking of you. I am GRATEFUL for you - your friendship, your following and your support!  Thank you for you!  Hugs, Danielle

Staying In Touch -

I was asked to write a blog entry for Professional Building Network (PBN) Group and I wanted to share the content with you too.  Enjoy!  To your success - Danielle

Staying In Touch by Danielle Mohr

Are you one of the 40% of sales people that do NOT follow-up with a prospect?  If yes, stay tuned for a future blog. However, if you are one of those that do follow-up, how do you keep in contact with those you have networked with or met?  How do you set yourself apart from others?

The best advice I could share would be to stay in touch and with this staying in touch efforts, make sure you are giving to give… and not necessarily gain business immediately.  The referrals and business are the goal, but with kindness and appreciation you will achieve that success. You will quickly learn that appreciation will “win” over self-promotion every time.

The first idea someone has to stay in touch is using e-mails.  While it is convenient to send emails, you need to make these attempts personal. Write and send a personal e-mails asking how the customer/client is and and briefly share a couple sentences what you have been doing. This isn’t a sales solicitation.  And yes, the phone still works… pick it up, dial and say “Hello!”

The goal is to try to stay in touch with your customers, clients and prospects on a regular basis. Eighty percent of sales are made between the 5^th- 12^th contact or interaction.  A hand-written note is a great way to show you care and stand out from the crowd. Send the card to your customer/client on special occasions and send them “just because” for fun & a positive contact with your recipient.  Send out seasonal cards – I have a client who swears by sending Thanksgiving cards for his business. It is his moment to express his gratitude for their relationship and business. By sending Thanksgiving cards, he believes he is standing out among the traditional holiday card. 

While holidays are a great time to send out cards, you can get pretty creative when to send other cards to have an opportunity to make those customer/client contacts.  Try sending recipe postcards or themed cards: “Spring Ahead – Set Your Clocks Forward” or notes of appreciation: “Thanks for your business or Thanks for the Referral” with a gift card to a coffee shop or such. Send notes about career changes, marriage, new houses, babies and sympathy cards. The gesture goes a long way.  These handwritten notes carry a great return on the networking you began. You may look at your contacts in business or with other businesses and think how will I be able to write all those cards?  There again, is another blog entry or you can contact me for the how-tos or try it out for FREE!.

The underlying key no matter what form you use to stay in touch is to build the relationship. Keep connected and nuture the friendships so they don’t disappear. These relationships are with people who you support and will support you. The first step is up to you.

And remember, "a card a day - keeps the competition away."

100 Marketing Ideas (Link)

Hi Business Friends,

After posting a link to Senior Marketing Advisor's recent magazine article on our Facebook page, we received half-a-dozen phone messages today from businesses wanting to know more.  While we take the weekend off, I promise to return these calls on Monday.  For the rest of you, I didn't want you to miss out, so I'm sharing the link to the original article. 

If you are looking for sales and marketing ideas, here are 100 of the best ever!  We like #45 - and you can too.  Allow us to show you how easy it is to use our system to send 1 card or 1,000. Phone, Skype or Coffee - we'll connect.  Save time and money with SendOutCards and us!

Remember, "a card a day keeps the cometition away."
We are happy to assist you.  --Tim & Danielle

Take Time for Your Mate & You!

For those of you who follow our blog, you know that my husband & I were MIA for a couple weeks with trips to Nashville and Las Vegas. Those two weeks were amazing and I gained so much insight, appreciation and fresh perspective for myself and my roles in family and business. I have a list of items/blog entries I want to write about from these moment.  And even though my girlfriend thinks I’m nuts “put [my]self out there," I thought this would be a good start...

Although it is one of those things you know, your closest relationship is with your mate.  And such is true for me, as my relationship with Tim. We’ve been married 12 years and counting and as you know the husband & wife relationship changes when you become father & mother.  In writing this, I don’t mean to imply the change is negative – it is just different.  And for us, it is exciting and fun to experience our adventures, vacations, life lessons and more as a group of five than solo.  I will be the first one to admit that we don’t take the dates and time away as a couple (as all the “experts” advise); however, we make other “dates” and prioritize our couple time over family time occasionally.  We don’t choose couple time over family time to be selfish, we chose it to flourish & strengthen our family time.

Since we don’t always make the true date (restaurant, movie, etc) out in the community, one thing we do is plan a date for a late dinner together at home.  We do this with take-out dinners (yep, even our favorite Hibachi restaurant creates meals for us) or late dinner for us when the kids go to bed.   I am a huge component of family meals, so we still sit/snack with the boys during their dinner to continue conversation, but save our dinner & dialogue for a little later in the night.

How do we have dinner or this quiet time? We’ve been lucky to have good sleepers, but we also encourage bedtimes around 8 pm +/- 30 minutes depending on the kiddos’ age.  Your ‘in-home’ dates don’t have to be perfect or expensive… perhaps it’s sharing a TV show, playing cards, dinner, looking at photos or just the simple conversations without being interrupted. 

Don’t let your business or outside stresses separate your relationship with your spouse. A great book is When Husband and Wife Become Mom and Dad by Elisa Morgan & Carol Kuykendall in which they share, “Hope comes in realizing that the chaos you’re experiencing in your marriage is perfectly normal.” And that is a reality.  In a life with kids (I’d never change that), we are rarely going to FIND time with our partner/spouse – we have to MAKE it. 

One thing I’ve enjoyed doing these last two years (and my parents are spoiling us) has been taking a solo (aka couple’s) trip with Tim for a couple of days.  We have no immediate family around us to call for a weekend sleepover or a quick babysitting favor, so true dinner and movie dates are far & few between as we’ve already stated.  My sister doesn’t know how good she has it w/ both sets of grandparents within a 1-3 mile radius. *wink-wink*  Our parents have been kind to offer up their time while visiting us in TX to stay with the kids so we could take simple, 3-day trips ALONE.  We’ve have been blessed to do this the last two summers as a couple… no parenting, discipline, cutting up meals, etc.  In 2010, we went to San Francisco & Napa Valley.  We spent time on the Pier, toured Alcatraz, and bicycled 16 miles around the wineries.  This year we went to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.  Both trips were amazing!  Yes, the sites were great; however, it was a time for us to reconnect, pretend we were newlyweds and reminisce our adventures – from courting in college to parenting. 

Both of us will tell you it has been the best thing we’ve done.  The memories of the trips are vivid in my mind.  If I close my eyes, I feel like I’m standing on the bottom of the Grand Canyon with the same overwhelming and child-like awe as I did that day.  Even after the trips are over, we chat about our time together, joke about the community pool’s similarities to the Venetian Hotel in Vegas (not!) or figure out how to buy another case of wine from our favorite Napa Valley Winery.  While I am enjoying these memories, I can’t help but let my mind wander for the ‘where’ of next summer. (Thanks Mom & Dad for the offer. This is the best gift ever!)

You may be thinking 3-days are still too much – for expenses or trust of another.  Again, you could do this with an overnight… maybe you go somewhere locally to stay overnight or maybe you schedule sleepovers for your kiddos and trade the favor with friends.  No matter what your budget allows, I guess the lesson of today’s blog entry is to find time for your mate!  I bet you are working hard at maintain your (girl) friendships; now just make sure to put the attention on your closest relationship with your mate or spouse.

You know me… your biggest cheerleader.  Sending hugs - Danielle

Vacation - Return to Blog

My Fans and Friends,

My sincerest apologies as I log in today to share my many insights and reflections from the past month.  I cannot believe it's been almost a month since my last entry.  (Guess it proves I blog 'live' and nothing is prearranged.) I never intended to be MIA for that long and leave you without word; however, with summer vacation with the kids and two trips my time to blog has been minimal.  But I'm back and have so much to share.... from looking forward & not back, gambling, reflections of sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon, relationships and so more. I almost don't know where to start, but to just share and embelish on my journal entries. I'm looking forward to continuing our relationships and stories here and on Facebook.

Hugs, Danielle

Wow - Exciting Stats

During the first 143 days of 2011 Send Out Cards averaged 31 new customers a day.  During the last two weeks we averaged 446 new customers a day! If my math is right, our customer base is growing 1450% faster since the new retail changes! From Jan. 1 - May 23rd of 2011 Send Out Cards added 4383 customers. In the last 2 weeks we have added 6238 new customers! That's more new customers in 2 weeks than the previous 20 weeks!

The summer is one of our slowest times of year for growth! Imagine what November and December will look like.  If you want to more know about the Retail Options or how to start a SOC business of your own, check out our Send Out Cards page.  Your time is now - shoot for the moon!  <3 Danielle

Advice for Grads & Reminders for the Rest of Us

The past month we’ve been helping families create and send numerous graduation cards.  I think the unique ability to create their own cards with as many photos as they desired set their invitations apart.  As we celebrate the 2011 graduates, I have flashbacks to my own commencements… high school, college and graduate school.  It sounds cliché, but the statements of “Live your dreams” or “You are in control of your destiny” are pretty prominent and very true as we have the future in our hands. We make our own decisions.

There was a commencement address of from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who told the graduates of the Boston College School of Law, “My advice to you is to stay optimistic. Things usually have a way of working out.”  Again, it’s cliché to say; however, it is very true - the future is not like it used to be.  No longer do you need to work 40 hours a week for forty years… I really enjoyed the book, “The Business of the 21^st Century” by Rich Dad Poor Dad author, Robert T. Kiyosaki.  He makes great statements and questions – and sums it up by saying ‘you need to take charge of your future by taking control of your income source – today! You need your own business.”

If you’re like us, you might think “Oh, really?” How am I going to have my own business?  Well, Mr. Kiyosaki, our family and numerous others would tell you to look at Direct Sales or Network Marketing.  As we’ve blogged (see archive), you need to research the businesses you are interested in and consider – their history and their future… including their competition.  We have our story and so do many other entrepreneurs in other business; it’s finding what is best for you… for your family.

If I could add other nuggets, it would be:

(1) It’s going to take work. Just like any j-o-b, you will have to work for your goals; however, in direct sales (network marketing) there is no ceiling.  You can achieve more than the one who sponsored you… you don’t have to wait for someone to retire to advance in this business.
(2) Don’t be afraid of failure. I wish I could immediately put my hands on the quote about Edison and the numerous times he failed with the light bulb or Michael Jordan and the missed shots.  It basically said, “I succeed because I failed.”  [I’m sure one of you will find the full quotes for me.]
(3) Don’t hesitate to take a leap of faith… if you’ve heard a “WHAT IF” whisper – maybe you take it.  You don’t have to leave your j-o-b while you start a direct sales position… and sometimes it fits well with your current position.  But if you have goals to leave your j-o-b, then make goals… perhaps you start off to make $X/month to equal your current salary and then your next goal is to double that… and so forth. 

I will tell you after being in direct sales for nine years and only one year with SendOutCards, this is the best opportunity I have ever been part of.  I am blessed to be home with our three boys and be present for all their school, sports and extra-curricular events.  I add to our budget with a real income and save for splurges like vacations and weekend fun.  We have a team of men and women who I am empower and providing opportunities that they never thought possible.  And if you know Tim or I personally, then you know how our CardsAndMohr team’s success means more than any personal success we attain.  Seeing others obtain freedom – time, money and stress warms my heart. It's like our proud parent moments in regards to sponsoring. 

Maybe you’ve heard the “WHAT IF” whisper… maybe you had a fleeting thought for an idea… there is no better time to try it than right now. If you are inspired by an idea, follow it.  As my dear biology teacher, coach and mentor used to say “should of, could of, would of never won a ball game.  Don’t wait – your time is now.  Always here to help and cheering you on - Danielle

Just Keep Swimming

Today at our son’s swimming lessons, I heard myself tell the big boys to “just keep swimming.” Of course, that quote ties us back to the movie Finding Nemo from 2003.  Find the video on You-Tube or follow along the script below – and I’m going to bet you hear yourself singing.  J

Dory: Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?
Marlin: No I don't wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
Marlin: Dory, no singing.
Dory: [continuing] Ha, ha, ha, ha, ho. I love to swim. When you want to swim you want to swim.

Again, another powerful lesson my kiddos (or at least their movie) seem to have taught us today.  And of course, I want to pass on these moments to our CardsAndMohr team and others reading who have their own businesses – especially other mompreneurs in direct sales.  The quote is simple, but by ‘just keep swimming’ you are ready for the entire race – not just the marathon.  We often need reminders of such in business.  I’ve seen so many friends and acquaintances start a direct sales business with a burst of energy… and then after exhausting their immediate circle of family and friends, they’ve run out of prospects. 

There are so many ways to continue this blog.  I could write about your target audience of customers – unlike those of us in Send Out Cards, perhaps your audience has been narrowed to one gender and even slimmer with or without children.  I could write about the “WHY” – Why or what is the reason you chose the business or want to have your own business?  When you know your WHY and if it’s strong, you will “just keep swimming” towards your goal because of your WHY. Despite all the challenges he faced during the course of the movie, Marlin kept swimming to find Nemo.  Finding Nemo was Marlin’s WHY – and he wasn’t going to stop until he was reunited with his son. 

When we ask our Send Out Cards team members for their WHY statement, often the first response is money (or time).  But we ask more questions and dig deeper and break it down– what will money or time bring you? Make $X a month… WHY? …to quit job… WHY? ...because I want to be home with my family (kiddos)… WHY? …because I want to enjoy all these family moments.  When you “just keep swimming,” you don’t lose track of your goal; you keep your focus just as Marlin did.  Sure, Dory got a little distracted – and so may you, your partner/spouse or even your downline, but tomorrow is another day and a chance to improved, refocus and recommit to your goal.  Use your Sponsor or Accountability Partner to help you stay on course for your goals. 

As someone who has been in the business for nine years, I would tell you to remember your goals and “just keep swimming.” It is not a race and really is about the law of averages. You need to give yourself at least six months to make your relationships strong; and really a year is a good ride.  And remember on days that you struggle, “just keep swimming” and you will pass the difficulty and be one step closer to your goal(s).  Always cheering you on - Danielle

Play til the Whistle Blows

It’s time for the NBA Playoffs and we are excited to see the Dallas Mavericks back in the finals.  Watching Game 2 last night was not pretty and we saw (read on FB) lots of friends sign off and ‘give up’ on the game to go to bed.  These friends just assumed that it was over and the Mavs were going to lose… what happened?  The Mavs launched a comeback and won Game 2 on a last second shot; now the series is tied 1-1 and the Mavs have a chance to win the next three at home and claim the championship. 

What a great lesson for all of us – you, me, our kids in this game of life. We should play every day like its game day and play TIL THE WHISTLE BLOWS!  How different the outcome would have been if any of the players decided in their minds that the game was over when they were down.  You (and your personal voice) are sometimes your biggest obstacle.  Get rid of that self-defeating voice and believe in yourself just like we believe in you.  No matter your business, make your goals and keep pursuing them. For anyone on our team, please share them with Tim or I – or another accountability partner, your spouse, your family. When others know your goal, they will help you stay in the game and achieve that success.

Sure, we all have good days and not so-good days, but remember tomorrow is another day.  You’ll see ups and downs in business too, but you’re in it for the long run. You do not start a business with a ‘get rich quick’ mentality. All the practice and time you’ve put into your relationships will be rewarded – I constantly share this with our Send Out Cards team. I spent eight years in another direct sales company and never have seen the success we’ve had with Send Out Cards in one year. It’s all about the Law of Averages and you need to stay in the game, focused on your goal and play hard til the final whistle blows.  Our best to you as you shoot for the moon!  --Danielle

Take the Chance... What If?

I find myself sitting here at 9:20 pm on Sunday night with the boys in the St. Louis/Lambert Airport with hopes of still making a flight home tonight.  You may be wondering how or why we are in St. Louis if we live in Dallas – it’s not a school holiday, it’s not summer break… nope, we acted on an idea… a prompting to join friends for a BBQ and a weekend of fun.

What is a prompting? A prompting is that ‘little voice’ you hear in your mind that says… “maybe I should” or “what if…” For us it was about taking a chance on the ‘what if’ this weekend.   Have you heard this voice? Have you listened to it? Ignored it? Questions like: “What if I ask her for a date?” What if I ask for a promotion? What if we moved? Have a baby? Start my own business?  If you have heard the ‘what if’ whisper, did you follow it?  If not, why? What do you have to lose? What is the risk?

What if that one girl says ‘no,’ and then you stop asking girls out – you might miss your soul mate.  If you don’t try to have a baby or adopt, you might regret it years from now. What if you wait to start your business and in a year see where you could have been if you had just followed that little voice… that little prompting.  The only difference between Tim & I with Jordan, Jules, Adam, DeMarr and others is time.  The only difference between you & I is time… but you’ll never be where we are if you don’t start.  Don’t stand back looking inward. Take an inventory, chat with your support network and take that chance – no matter what your passion or business.

Returning to our action on the prompting of going to St. Louis this weekend and the fact that we are still in the airport (going on 6 hours) with the boys by myself, I have no regrets.  Why?  I have no regrets because we had a great weekend BBQ with friends and the weekend ended up being more memorable than I could have imagined.  It started with a Facebook status entry about brisket smoking and my response/tease about crashing their BBQ.  It was followed by my BFF asking ‘what if you jumped on a plane and joined us…’  Hmmm – what if?  What if we did leave immediately and fly up Saturday, only to return on Sunday?  What did I have to lose?  And that’s the question and fear I want you to overcome when you face your what ‘ifs.’ 

I don’t want it to seem like we chose to start our Send Out Cards with little decision, there was a decision.  We loved the concept, the philosophy and mission. Of course, after nine years in direct sales, I didn’t see a reason to start another business. Boy, am I glad I listened to my ‘what if’ voice. I was already going to purchase the Wholesale Package based on the number of cards our family sends and I wanted to save in the long-run despite the upfront (system cost).  I thought for $59 to become a business, ok… ‘what if’ I did make a little money from sending my own cards and gifts – not to mention the cards and gifts others would send….  Obviously, if you’ve followed us here on the blog or Facebook or we’ve had a chance to chat via email and phone calls, you know our history.

Just as listening to that ‘what if’ voice to start a business with Send Out Cards, brought about great lessons and opportunities for memory making, so did the ‘what if’ voice about going to St. Louis.  Our trip to St. Louis brought memories with the kids about Acts of Random Kindness, kickball, playing with dear friends and a lesson about a little baby lost to SIDS as we released balloons to Heaven one year after the Lord took her from her family. Our boys learned about Ellie and even though she is gone, she is not forgotten.  This memory and the pink & purple sunsets and double rainbow Ellie sends her family on Earth are so worth the ‘what if’ about going to St. Louis and the ‘what if’ we don’t get home because of the storms.  Don’t let the fear stop you from a memory, a milestone, a moment of success – take the risk. You don’t want to wonder ‘what if’ and have regrets. I promise the risk be worth the rewards.  I’m always cheering you on as an entrepreneur – no matter what your business may be.   --Danielle

Don't Forget to Follow-Up

I sit down to write today’s blog entry and I have so many ‘business strategies’ I want to share.  Why?  Because today, I was notified from Send Out Cards that one of our team members and friend, Ashley earned the Cruise Incentive and will she’ll be sailing three days from Long Beach, CA to Ensenada, Mexico.   Tim laughed at me (in a supportive way) as I was more excited to see Ashley succeed than I was when I heard I made the trip earlier in May.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to be on the cruise and will get my passport renewed ASAP; however, it was seeing someone on our team succeed to the next level.

I do feel like a big sister who supports those ‘younger’ than me in our business.  I don’t know all the answers, but I will share what works and what hasn’t. The biggest challenge for many is in goal setting – I’ll sit down and write the specific goal and then work backwards and make smaller steps. 

For example, Ashley knew her goal…. The Cruise – She knew what it took to earn the Cruise (She’d need to sign five new distributors) – And she knew the deadline (May 23).  And before Ashley would achieve signing five new distributors and earning the cruise, she needed to sign her first distributor.  Yep, that’s right – in a month’s time, Ashley signed five new people into the business.  A win-win for both the distributor and those she sponsored as they now have a tool for sending cards & gifts AND just found their own vehicle for financial freedom.

How did Ashley sign five new distributors?  It’s all in the relationships… and in the follow-up.  Just like our business, those on our team and others within the SOC family, we believe in the relationships and how can we help you utilize this tool… for personal or business needs.  The fortune is in the follow-up… you’ve heard this no matter what your business is and you’ve seen the outcome.  Using Send Out Cards for customer & client follow-up, as a warm marketing tool and for personal relationships will make an impact.  Ashley had made lot of connections and built relationships, she then tackled the fear of follow-up... and thank goodness she did.  She followed up with those who had expressed an interest - and tada.  Sometimes 'no,' just means 'not now;' however, what you are offering may fit at a later time. Do you see a similarity in your business?

Now that Ashley is headed to Mexico will she slow down? Highly doubt it – she’s got some great momentum and has a team of five… her next goal… Manager.   The one thing about our Send Out Cards business is that others can duplicate the same success. There are no area meetings, no inventory or parties.  Despite that, Tim & I are there to help Ashley with her new goal of Manager because at this new level she will see her income change; it is a great milestone and will really change her business. 

For those of you reading this – as our team or friends of our team, please know how important you are to us. It is a blessing to be part of your business and your families. I just wrote about that in my Gratitude Journal yesterday, but my heart is full this week. You guys are working so hard and making great changes for your family.  Keep shooting for the moon; we are here for you!  --Danielle