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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dream Job

This cute story was in my opportunity packet.  I really like it and I wanted to share it with you.  :)

Once Upon a Time, an ambitious woman entered a successful store with a reputation for beautiful, fine quality merchandise.  She walked right up to the owner and said, "Sir, I am very impressed with your establishment.  I'd like to come on board and build a career here.  I can promise you I will work hard and I'll do a great job.  In return all I ask for is the following:"

"First, I'd like 30% profit on everything I sell.  If I meet special goals, I'd like to earn free merchandise.  If I bring in and train three new salespeople, I think I deserve a 10% raise and 10% off everything they sell.  Now, when I do well, I expect praise and recognition; not to mention special awards, gifts, designer suits and dream vacations to exotic locations.  By the way, I'm afraid I'm not into the 9 to 5 scene, so I will want to set my own schedule and work when it best suits me.  Of course, my family always comes first. 

Oh, I think that's about it.  So, when can start?"  After the store owner recovered from shock, he roared with laughter.  "Lady, you can't be serious!  You're living in a dream world.  You'll never find an opportunity like that anywhere!"

He was wrong.  That woman could have been me.  I found that opportunity and more as a Fashion Advisor with lia sophia Jewelry, and you can, too!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Dress for Success

lia sophia and the partnership with Dress for Success

One of my favorite things about lia sophia is their commitment to women.  They want women to be empowered entrepreneurs, and they also want to help women who are less fortunate.  As part of their initiative to help women, they have partnered with Dress for Success. 

Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization.  The current lia sophia Dress for Success piece is the Nottingham necklace.  When you buy this piece, you support lia sophia's Dress for Success initiative.

What exactly does lia sophia do for Dress for Success?  Each year, lia sophia donates jewelry and money to the organization, which in turn gives underprivileged women the support they need to enter the professional world.  If you don't have a job, you can't afford to buy a suit, but how do you go on an interview without a suit?  Dress for Success fits women with suits and other pieces of clothing, and after they find employment, they may return in order to get enough changes of clothes, and accessories for a week.  Dress for Success continues their assistance to women with a myriad of training programs to help women step up in their careers. 

What a worthy endeavor to be a part of!  I'm so thankful to be a part of an organization, lia sophia, that backs such an important service to women!

History of lia sophia

I know some of you are wondering about the history of lia sophia... just how long have they been around... are they a company that's going to last?  YES!

Lia Sophia is a family-owned company, and have been since their inception over 30 years ago.  In 1979, Victor Kiam purchased Remington.  In the years prior to Victor's purchase of Remington, they had been losing millions of dollars, but immediately after he took the helm, they began turning a profit. 

In 1986, Victor purchased the company known as Act II Jewelry.  He changed the name to Lady Remington, and today that company is lia sophia.  He established the Lifetime Replacement Guarantee we all know and love, making his jewelry line a cut above the rest!

In 2001, Tory Kiam, Victor's son, inherited the company.  He changed the name to lia sophia, after his two daughters, Sophia and Lia.  Their favorite jewelry pieces are featured in the Kiam Family Collection in the lia sophia catalog.

Rest assured, lia sophia is a jewelry company that is here to stay!

Monday, October 18, 2010

The lia sophia Fall/Winter 2010 Starter Kit

I've promised you that I would tell you what's in the Fall/Winter 2010 lia sophia Starter Kit, so here it is!

The starter kit includes over $1000 worth of jewelry!  I have listed it below.  The kit also includes the following business supplies:
1. Two 1" display trays
2. Two sets of 2 Foam Sheet Inserts
3. Two packages of 10 Fall/Winter 2010 Catalogs
4. Kit Bag
5. Invitation Postcards (Set of 100)
6. Quick Start Guide
7. Talking Point Cards
8. Ring Sizer
9. Hostess Envelopes (Set of 6)
10. Display Cloth
11. Wish List (Pad of 50)
12. Hostess Selection and Order Summary (Set of 12)
13. Guest List (Set of 12)
14. Customer Selection Ticket (Set of 50)


Now, the Jewelry! (I will post pictures soon!)
In the kit, you will receive 24 pieces of BEAUTIFUL jewelry.  I have to say, it comes with something for everyone.  And it's very easy to add pieces to your collection, although with 24 pieces, you won't need to right away!

The current kit comes with:
Chime Earrings (Retail value of $28) 

Evolve Collar Necklace
(Retail Value of $46)

Flux Pendant Slide (Retail Value of $28)

Sequin Pendant Slide
(Retail Value of $42)

Seaside Necklace
(Retail Value of $48)

Trish Reversible Necklace
(Retail Value of $118)

Embrace Cuff Bracelet
(Retail Value of $36)

Rival Earrings
(Retail Value of $32)

Heart to Heart Stretch Bracelet
(Retail Value of  $46)

Dahlia Ring
(Retail Value of $76)

Nottingham Earrings
(Retail Value of $38) (great to go with our Dress for Success piece!)

Voltage Earrings
(Retail Value of $36)

Celestial Necklace
(Retail Value of $58)

Samba Earrings
(Retail Value of $26)

Bolted Stretch Bracelet in Matte Gold
(Retail Value of $38)

Natural Charm Necklace
(Retail Value of $58)

Blue Ice Necklace
(Retail Value of $66)

Discotheque Earrings
(Retail Value of $30)

Haute Chocolate Necklace
(Retail Value of $78)

Wind Up Cuff Bracelet
(Retail Value of $38)

Day Dreamer Necklace (Retail Value of $34)

Identity Bracelet
(Retail Value of $32)

Droplet Necklace
(Retail Value of $35)

Fierce Bracelet
(Retail Value of $58)

Total retail value:  $1125!!!!
I hope this helps anyone thinking of becoming an Advisor, so you can see what comes in your great Starter Kit!

Deciding on lia sophia

In the last post I told you a little bit about why I was looking for my own business.  Now I will tell you what I found out in my research, and why lia sophia may just be for you!

I started out researching business grants for women.  Everyone says how plentiful they are, but I had trouble finding any without running into scams.  After that, I started looking for legitimate work at home jobs, and I did find some, but most of them require that I take my daughter to a babysitter, which for me, defeats the purpose of working in the home.  She's the reason I want to work at home.  After remembering what my Dad was talking about the year before (see this post), I began to think about home party plan businesses, specifically lia sophia.  

My main concern was, Will I spend more money than I make, like so many party plans I've heard about?  And I was amazed to find out how little the lia sophia supplies really cost!  The most expensive supply item I seem to be able to find is $6.50 for a package of 10 catalogs, which can be bought at buy one pack, get one free when the new ones come out.  There are $4.00 pack of 100 postcards, and customer wish lists are $2.00 for a pad of 50.  Some things you could even make yourself, rather than paying for them, but I will probably use the official ones since they don't cost much and are already done!  Your time is worth something too!  But I won't have to worry about supplies for a few parties, because your Starter Kit comes with all the business supplies you need for 3-5 parties, along with $1000 worth of jewelry.  I will tell you more about the Starter Kit in my next blog post.  

My next concern was, I'm not that fashion forward... can I pull off being an ADVISOR?   And I don't wear that much jewelry!  But then I started to think about WHY I didn't wear that much... I didn't have that much!  Not to mention, most women have a very good idea of what kinds of jewelry they like or don't like.   THEN I saw the jewelry in person, and it is GORGEOUS.  I like it in the catalog... I LOVE it in person!


Now, I was thinking, .  I live in a rural area where no one has even heard of lia sophia... can I really sell it? (by the way, lia sophia is SUPPOSED to be non-capitalized... I know, it bugged me too at first).    Well, I have had very positive reactions so far.  And as I said, it is very beautiful in person, and I don't think anyone who sees it will want to pass it up!  When I started, I had never even been to a lia sophia party!


Can I make a profit?  What's involved in doing a show?  Well, the answer to this one is, it depends on YOU!  You should have no problem making a profit.  You will receive 30% of your total show sales in commission, and lia sophia reports that their national average show is $600 to $700.  For my zone, the average is $600.  That breaks down to $180 per show in your pocket!  As far as being the Advisor at a show, and what that involves, it truly depends on you and your personality.  The most important thing about being a show Advisor is to make it fun!  My job is to be the life of the party!  Everyone runs their parties differently, and that leaves you free to make your own plan!  There are many fun games, etc, that Advisors play to make sure that the guests will have a good time!  I've been told running a show is easy.  I will let you know as soon as I do my first one!


Will people really want to book a show?  I have to say the answer to this question is a resounding yes!  I have been to several parties from other companies home shows, and at one, I remember watching as the hostess was presented her gift, which consisted of a bamboo spoon and a pack of skewers.  That was disappointing.  Will lia sophia really excite people enough to book a show?  Yes!  Let me tell you what the hostess gets from EVERY lia sophia show, in addition to the monthly hostess special!  lia sophia REALLY does have the very best hostess benefits in the business.


What you get as a hostess (when you host a qualified show):
FREE jewelry!  Receive 20% of your show sales in free jewelry credits to be used on regular-priced items
Hostess Bonus Items!
Purchase up to four items of your choice at the special Hostess Bonus price of $15 each, unless otherwise stated in the catalog.
HALF-Price Items!
Purchase up to two items of your choice at HALF price.
40% Hostess Credit
Have 10 orders and two dated bookings from your Show and get 40% of your Show sales in jewelry credit for only $15.  To be used on regular-priced items.

I up the ante even further!  Book a party with me and receive any item in the catalog up to $100 for only $15... AND you'll receive it AT your show, just for booking!

If you're wondering what a qualified show is, it is a show in which the sales total at least $250 and at least two guests (hostess counts as one) comes to the party.

Now, my last big question:  Will I have to recruit other people into the business in order to make any money?  NO!  You can go on forever without recruiting anyone if you don't want to.  There are no obligations to recruit and they won't make you a manager if you don't want to be!  Don't expect to be pushed into something you don't want to do-- but do expect to be recognized and congratulated for everything that you do, large or small!   All you need to do to remain active with lia sophia is to have $250 in orders every quarter.  Should you choose to pursue management, you will need 3 active recruits and $7000 in combined sales monthly.  As you can see, the more recruits you have, the easier it is to achieve this sales goal.  In return, you will receive a 10% override on all of your recruits' sales, plus an additional 10% on all of your sales.   


As you can see, you are free to run your lia sophia business in almost any manner you would like to... concentrating either on sales, or recruiting, or both!  

Here are the TOP TEN reasons to join lia sophia! 
10. Earn fabulous prizes and dream vacations.  This year's trip is to Puerto Rico!
9. Get recognition for achieving personal and company goals!
8. Meet new people and build long-term friendships.
7. Set your own hours and work when YOU want!
6. Stay home with your children.
5. Get a night out for yourself (while making money).
4. Enjoy unbeatable programs:  Hostess Benefits, Customer Save Plan, and Lifetime Replacement Guarantee.
3. Earn 30% profit on your sales
2. Receive a $1,000 jewelry kit, including supplies, at a minimum cost to you
1. Your jewelry box will be the envy of ALL!



Add my blog to your favorites list in order to find out more about this exciting opportunity, whether you're thinking about joining lia sophia, or hosting a party, or if you just like the jewelry!

A New Journey

I'm here to lead you through my exciting new journey as a lia sophia Advisor!  Along the way we'll learn about what it takes to start a lia sophia business, all the great benefits you get, and how much fun it is!  After all, my job IS partying! 

First I want to give you a little bit of background about me and what led me to this decision.  As I write this, my baby lies sleeping in my lap, which seems to be her favorite place these days.  I think about what a great opportunity I have, to be able to stay at home with her.  This was our (mine and my husband's) decision from the start, that I would stay at home with my daughter.  Along the way, things got a little bumpy with our finances, and we ended up moving, TWICE.  I have been contemplating how I can best supplement my husband's income, and was becoming brokenhearted over thinking about going back to work.  I began to search for other options, finding mostly scams in the work-at-home "opportunities".  

I had considered party plans in the past, but never found one that I thought I would last very long doing.  Most either have an excellent compensation plan OR an excellent hostess plan, but usually not both.  Then I found lia sophia.  Or, should I say, my cousin found it.  I never thought much about it, but my Dad began to talk to me one day about it and asked me if I thought I could do it, saying my cousin was doing really well with it.  I briefly considered it, but decided, being pregnant at the time, and very ill most of the time, to put it out of my mind.  Well, here we are, a year plus later, and I had begun to think again about what I can do to make extra money to supplement my husband's income without going back to work full time and leaving my little girl.  That's when lia sophia came back to my mind. 

I'm not a person to jump into something without researching.  In fact, I OVER-research things.  I thought of numerous things while researching, which I will go over in another blog post.  I researched many different home party plans, and I recommend, if you're in search of your own business with minimal startup cost, that you also research the options, but I highly recommend lia sophia!