Owning your own business is hard, and I find that I love great motivational quotes to help keep me going. I run a Direct Sales business and it is no exception to the ups and downs of business. In some ways, it's harder, since a Direct Sales business owner has to find ways to stay motivated and moving forward, without accountability to a boss.
Maintain Momentum with Quotes
I find that I can gain momentum and energy to keep pushing, when I read motivational quotes. Here are a few quotes I have found to help us all stay motivated and moving forward with our business.
"Lean into life. Begin each day as if it were on purpose." - Mary Anne Radmacher
"Forget what hurt you but never forget what it taught you."
"She remembered who she was and the game changed." - Lalah Deliah
"Wake up beauty, it's time to beast"
"Work hard in silence. Let success make the noise"
"Nothing will work unless you do" - Maya Angelou
"If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far you can't hear them anymore".
"Train or remain the same"
Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live." - Anne Sweeney
"Success doesn't come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently." - Marie Forleo
"You never lose in business, you either win or you learn." - Melinda Emerson
"When you start seeing your worth, you'll find it harder to stay around people who don't."
"Making mistakes is better than faking perfections."
"Be the person you want to have in your life."
"Learn to be indifferent about what makes no difference."
Is Scentsy a Good Fit for Millennials?
Is Scentsy a Good Fit for Millennials?
Millennials look for a different way to work, and wonder if a Scentsy business would be a good fit. The millennial generation carries unique qualities and talents and opportunities. A lot of those would make a millennial a great fit as a Scentsy Consultant. Often, they get a bad wrap, but there are some definite benefits to the millennial generation as Scentsy Consultants.
Who is a Millennial
First, just to make sure we're all on the same page, what makes someone a millennial? The Pew Research Centerreports on data about Millennials and defines them as those born after 1980. They are the first generation to come of age in the new millennium. Below are some general characteristics of the Millennial generation.
Millennial Generation
According to research from Goldman Sachs, the Millennial generation is the largest in history with a whopping 92 million members! That is even larger than the Baby Boomer generation coming in at 77 million and Generation X which was even lower still at 61 million.
Technology generation
Millennials are the first generation to grow-up in the era of rapid technological innovation. They were born during smartphones, internet and the always-on digital world. As such, they are much more digitally connected than previous generations and use technology like texting, vlogging, messaging. They are particularly more likely to use social media platforms to communicate.
Debt generation
The Millennial generation is burdened with much more debt than previous generations. Student loan payments take up an increasing percentage of Millennial income after graduation. According to the Federal Reserve, the mean student loan balances of 25 year olds has practically doubled from just over $10,000 in 20013 to just over $20,000 in 2013.
Earning a Living
So now that we are more familiar with some of the characteristics of the Millennial generation, what do we know about what they want out of an occupation? Or really - what do they want, if anything, from the way they earn a living? There are lots of stereotypes about Millennials and lots of research about how to cater careers to Millennials.
Everyone gets it. Conventional wisdom holds that Millennials are entitled, easily distracted, impatient, self-absorbed, lazy, and unlikely to stay in any job for long. On the positive side, they’re also looking for purpose, feedback, and personal life balance in their work. Companies of all kinds are obsessed with understanding them better.
Actual Few Differences
The article goes on to suggest that more and more evidence is finding that there are few actual differences in Millennials and the rest of us. It continues -
While pithy descriptions of what makes Millennials unique are presented as self-evident and seem to have a ring of truth to them, very few are supported with solid empirical research. On the contrary, a growing body of evidence suggests that employees of all ages are much more alike than different in their attitudes and values at work. To the extent that any gaps do exist, they amount to small differences that have always existed between younger and older workers throughout history and have little to do with the Millennial generation per se.
The article continues to suggest that though there has been much said, studied, discussed and while stereotypes seem to abound, there just doesn't seem to be any real evidence of difference between the generations. It appears, according to this Harvard Business article, that there really is minimal differences in what the Millennial generation and the previous two (Generation X and Baby Boomers) want out of a career. The article states that -
For one, a group of researchers from George Washington University and the Department of Defense analyzed more than 20 published and unpublished studies examining generational differences and concluded that meaningful differences among generations probably do not exist in the workplace. The small differences that do appear are likely attributable to factors such as stage of life more than generational membership.
Overall Occupation Goals
So what does this all mean? My key takeaway is that Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers are looking for the same type of benefits from an occupation. This is definitely not what I had supposed! I have done lots of research outlining the differences between Millennials and previous generations. And this article suggests that the differences are not attributable to generation, but rather life stage.
So if you are a Millennial, Generation X, or Baby Boomer, a Scentsy business could be a good fit. A good fit is if you like the freedom to work where and when you like, enjoy free travel, spending more time with family and friends, and making good money. If this sounds like you, then consider joining Scentsy and becoming a Scentsy Consultant.
Benefits of a Scentsy Business
Millennials are a good fit for Scentsy, and Scentsy is a good fit for Millennials. Come start a Scentsy business that offers the flexibility and use of technology where you can thrive.
Owning your own business is key to the flexible schedule, gig-type economy, and using your creativity with technology. This is where the benefits of a Scentsy business outweigh other jobs.
Every now and then I tell people how my husband and I support* our family with our Direct Sales business. Inevitably the conversation leads to this question, “Oh, so it’s like a pyramid scheme?”.
No, Scentsy is not a pyramid scheme. After a while, I began to wonder what exactly is a pyramid scheme. Why do so many people consider any direct selling business to be one?
What Is a Pyramid Scheme
So first, what is a pyramid scheme? When in doubt, turn to Wikipedia! 🙂 –
“Pyramid schemes—also referred to as franchise fraud or chain referral schemes—are marketing and investment frauds in which an individual is offered a distributorship or franchise to market a particular product. Participants earn the real profit, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships. Emphasis on selling franchises rather than the product eventually leads to a point where the supply of potential investors is exhausted and the pyramid collapses.”
Often, the term pyramid scheme is associated with direct selling businesses. However, it actually happens just as much if not more often in the financial sector.
Examples
I did a Google search for the term pyramid scheme. The first result was an article about a Montana woman. She pleaded guilty to using money from new investors to make payments to earlier investors, between 2008 and 2016. The article states that "she's accused of taking $1.5 million from 28 different people. At least four of the investors were identified as vulnerable persons because of their age, and one was mentally disabled."
That type of "business" is bad, and should get a bad wrap. It's also illegal (with good reason).
Here is an another article in Investopedia about pyramid schemes in the financial sector. There's also a great short video on that page explaining pyramid schemes.
How to Know if a Business Is Legitimate
Below is a video from the Direct Selling Association in Australia called "Understanding Illegal Pyramid Schemes". The video outlines they key points of how to identify whether a business is a legitimate direct selling business or a pyramid scheme.
vimeo id="145132190"
MLM organizations
Specifically with regards to Multi-level marketing organizations the same Wikipedia page states –
"...have a real product to sell. More importantly, MLM's actually sell their product to members of the general public, without requiring these consumers to pay anything extra or to join the MLM system. MLM's may pay commissions to a long string of distributors, but these commission are paid for real retail sales, not for new recruits."
Selling of Goods is Key
In summary, any business model in which members make money from the signup fee of someone else rather than any actual selling of goods or services is a pyramid scheme. Additionally, in exchange, the organization promises its new members a share of the money taken from every additional member that they recruit. If a percentage of your sign up fee goes directly to those who enrolled you, or if you are a member of a business that rewards you financially when someone joins under you – then you are part of a pyramid scheme.
The FTC also has more information at this link- FTC Pyramid Schemes - to help consumers understand the difference between legitimate direct selling businesses and scams.
So do I sell products? Absolutely! Scentsy has a fantastic brand with amazing, innovative products namely, Warmers, Diffusers, Buddies, Laundry, Skin, and, of course, it's very, very popular fragrances!
To buy Scentsy online simply visit my Scentsy Website to browse all of the fantastic items I sell.
Pyramid Scheme Promises
Pyramid Schemes come in all shapes and sizes but all make massive promises. Generally speaking, these schemes also leave their members, except the few at the top, worse off. This same Wiki page tells of about a dozen notable pyramid schemes all over the world. These businesses have caused riots and robbed thousands, if not millions, of people lots of money.
Pyramid schemes are illegal ploys to rob people. They promise an income to convince more and more people to pay the enrollment fee, of which they get a portion.
Structured to Defraud
In a Forbes magazine article by Nancy Collamer, she clarifies that “MLM’s are sometimes erroneously referred to as “pyramid schemes” – companies structured with the intent of defrauding the public”. These organizations are designed to make money, but NOT generated by the sale of any product or service. Money is made when individuals pay an enrollment fee - to a small group or individual at the top and are illegal.
Is Scentsy a Pyramid?
In Scentsy, I do get potential leadership bonuses from the amount my team sells. However, I don't get a sign-up fee when they join. I am paid for helping new team members join and start a successful business, selling actual products.
Many ask the question of how is a Scentsy consultant paid; can I really make money with Scentsy? You can watch this video I created to explain the Scentsy Compensation Plan and how we make money.
Start a Legit Business
And as always if today is the day you’re and ready to be your own boss and looking for a legitimate business opportunity, come join my Scentsy team! Ever wonder if you’d make an awesome Scentsy Consultant? Check out my blog post answering that very question – Could I be an awesome Scentsy Consultant?
Are you ready to work hard to earn trips, make great friends, make money, and be able to enjoy more time with your friends and family? Then come on over to my Scentsy website and Join Scentsy!
Is Scensty A Scam?
Want to learn more about Scentsy, the company? Here's a little history about Scentsy in an article answering the questionIs Scentsy a Scam?
*When I talk about income from our Scentsy business, the FTC requires that I add results are not typical, and include this Income Disclosure Statement. Results are not typical, but honestly, neither are you. I worked hard to make this happen, and so can you.