So let me share some of the highlights of my wonderful vacation with you. We were met at the Kona, HI airport by the travel staff and presented with a real orchid lei. Doesn’t hubby look cute? Shhh, don’t tell him I showed you that photo!

Our bags were collected by the friendly travel staff and we were tucked along with our bags into a taxi and whisked off to our hotel. My first impression of Hawaii was, that it wasn’t what I expected. There was acres of black lava with a few sparse bits of vegetation. We had a great taxi driver who as more than happy to entertain and educate us on the half hour drive to the hotel. He explained black lava is younger, brown lava is older and has started to rust (oxidize). What year each flow ocurred and much more. He also pointed out the Hawaiian graffiti, messages written in white coral which really stood out on the lava. There was even one that said, “JR WATKINS” to welcome us.

Once we arrived at the hotel we were warmed welcomed by corporate staff and Executives, hugs all around. We were promptly checked in and our luggage was delivered to our rooms. We had half an hour to change and freshen up for the welcome cocktail reception. The reception was awesome, we mingled with other associates and Watkins corporate staff, enjoyed beverages and plenty of gourmet treats. Lots of hugs and hand shakes were exchanged as I met up with old and new friends. Introductions were made all around so my Watkins family and my real family members could get to know each other. It was a wonderful way to start our holiday. We headed back to our rooms to unpack and visit dream land as we had an early start the next day.

We started the first full day of our holiday bright and early with an all you could eat breakfast buffet. Then we boarded a mini bus for an island circle tour with our team members. Our driver/tour guide was a wealth of information and he kept us well entertained with his great sense of humor. Aloha cousin! In random order we visited and/or saw:

• a coffee plantation, tasted wonderful Kona coffee, checked out the museum and gift shop.
• the black sand beach and we saw some sea turtles.
• we visited a macadamia nut farm, and factory. We enjoyed some macadamia nut ice cream and purchased some nuts to bring home and share.
• an orchid green house, I love orchids and have some of own that are flowering right now. Found the perfect birthday gift for one of my best friends in the gift shop.
• a bakery, the southernmost bakery in the US! Don’t you just love the smells in a real bakery? Delightful!
• a volcano, I learned lots I didn’t know about volcanoes.
  steam vents, they are hot.
• waterfalls.
• explored a lava tube, it’s dark and damp in there!
• lush tropical forests (like I expected)

One of the nicest things during our day of adventure is the time we got to spend together. I enjoyed chatting and joking with David and Alan my managers and good friends, we have a long distance relationship so it was wonderful to visit in person. I always look forward to sharing special moments with Jo my upline, and dear friend. Of coarse it was just awesome for my family and I to enjoy the day together.

Our family ended our perfect day of sight seeing with dinner at the hotel. The meal was pricey but we were too tired to go farther a field in search of cheaper fare. Besides it’s nice to treat yourself to gourmet food including a decadent desert, shared by the four of us.

Our next day started with a leisurely breakfast, we had lots of time to sample more goodies at the breakfast buffet. We also enjoyed visiting over coffee with our group. The kids booked 2 hours on sea-doos in Kona so we rented a car and headed into town to explore. We poked around some lovely shops, and chatted to a few interesting locals. One fellow made and sold hand woven hats and assorted items, another let us meet and pet his parrot, for a donation! Gotta give them credit for their entrepreneurialism.

We dropped the kids off at the sea-doo rental and headed off to Walmart to buy hubby a watch and some socks for our son. Hubby normally doesn’t shop so he went a little crazy filling up our shopping cart. Note to self, do not take him shopping! I don’t have any photos of the kids sea-dooing but I think they were having way too much fun to take pictures anyways.

So we picked up the kids and headed back to the hotel to get showered and dressed for the Lu’au. You can read more about the lu’au and my excellent vacation in part two. Mahalo, that’s thanks for stopping by.

Melody Thacker jumps out of bed every morning, excited about the bright shiny new day, and the endless possibilities it holds. Her passion is helping others with her direct sales business.

My Excellent Vacation Part One

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The economy hasn’t had a negative impact on my Watkins business, on the contrary my sales have never been better and most of my team members (ie: the ones who are active) are noticing the same trend. Melody

What’s so great about direct sales? Most direct sales businesses can be run from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to punch a time clock or work a certain number of hours per day but you do need to show up for work consistently. Your schedule for your business is totally up to you. I’ll be honest here, the size of your profits is directly proportional to how hard you are willing to work. Especially in the first year or two while you are getting established.

As such, the control of the entire business is in your hands. Because of the freedom and flexibility if offers, more and more people are taking the plunge into direct sales. Here are a few of the reasons why:

Flexible hours – you work when you want
Part time or full time – you work as much or as little as you want
Simple business plan
Unlimited earning potential
Low start up and overhead costs
Flexible marketing options
Fun to do
No experience required
Reasonably priced products

It certainly may seem like a win-win situation and it can be. You’ll invest less than $500 initially for supplies to get started. This is far less than it costs to purchase a franchise for example, which requires an investment of around $50,000 just to get started.

Direct sales companies offer their sales associates a number of incentives to start and build a business with them. Keep in mind, not all direct sales businesses are the same and some companies are not on the up and up, so do your due diligence before you decide to join one.

The direct selling companies that are well established, have been around for a number of years and are known for their business integrity offer great benefits to anyone who is willing to work hard:

Fair compensation programs
Opportunity to meet new people
Earn free products
Earn free travel
Ability to advance or move up in the company

When money is an issue, who can argue with a type of business venture that wants to see you succeed? Your success is tied in with the company’s and your sponsor or upline’s business as a whole. Ultimately, your success is their success so look for a company and sponsor who offers you the training and support you need to succeed. As you get the word out about your business and the products, more and more people are likely to do business with you.

The possibilities with Watkins excited me. “What if I gave it a try, could I achieve some success?” I discovered the answer is a definite, yes! I now enjoy a nice income every month from my Watkins business. I have advanced up the compensation plan, earned several all expense paid luxury vacations and other free goodies all for doing something I love. Melody

For parents, people who have been laid off from their job or are on a fixed income, a direct sales business can be the answer to their prayers. Your business can supplement your current income or even replace your income from a full time job. While you are working or trying to find a job, you can still be earning money as you sell the products in your spare time. What can you do about the economy? You could find that direct selling is where you want to be.

I realize, direct selling may not be a business that everyone feels comfortable with. If you don’t like meeting new people or talking to a lot of people at one time, then maybe another business idea could work better for you. But, for outgoing, ambitious people, direct selling highlights their best character features.

You’ll discover as a business owner, your confidence level goes up. You are in charge of your own destiny and it feels really good. With each sale, you’ll get a little bolder and more strategic in finding and keeping your customers. When that happens you’ll have been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug!

Direct sales offers an opportunity for the regular Joe, an ordinary person just like you to take more control of their financial situation and their life. Don’t let the economy control your life, take control of it yourself. If you need extra money or a new career choice, maybe it’s time to consider direct sales? Check out the Watkins business opportunity and see if it would be a good fit for you.

Melody Thacker jumps out of bed every morning, excited about the bright shiny new day, and the endless possibilities it holds. Her passion is helping others with her direct sales business.

The Economy Sucks What Can You Do About It?

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• First, it’s my annual get-a-way. I stay in a five star hotel, often for free. I eat first class meals and don’t have to cook, or do dishes! I get to dress up in my “good clothes.” I get to visit interesting places like; Vancouver BC, Calgary AB, and LaCrosse, WI to name a few. There’s always time for a bit of sight seeing, shopping and it’s a wonderful change of pace from my everyday life!
• Second, I get to know all the newest and exciting things that are happening with Watkins. New products, gift line, new programs! I love seeing and trying the new products and gift line! Plus we hear from top industry trainers and speakers! It’s all very motivating and inspiring so I come home even more pumped up about helping more people with my business.
• Third, I get to network with Watkins people in person! We talk shop, share ideas and celebrate successes! Some people consider their Watkins associates as their family and it’s a pretty accurate description of our relationship. Plus, I see Watkins Inc employees who have become my friends over the years. I’m particularly excited because this year I get to meet one of my downline who is not only an associate but a good friend and one of my super stars, Mary Ellen from Old Thyme Goodness. We’ve talked for hours over the phone and the internet so I can’t wait to meet her in person.

Are you wondering why you should attend conference? Well it’s a simple answer, attending conference with help you grow your business. How? The answer to that question varies for each person as there are a number of ways it can help you. Here are 7 Reasons Why You Should Attend Business Conferences.

Well I’d better finish my packing, talk to you when I get back!

Melody Thacker jumps out of bed every morning, excited about the bright shiny new day, and the endless possibilities it holds. Her passion is helping others with her direct sales business.

Why I Love Attending Watkins Business Conference

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Taste these…
melt in your mouth, light, flaky biscuits smothered in hot country gravy.

Direct sales companies have been using free samples as a promotion method for many years and continue to do so to this day. Costco and other grocery stores often offer food samples to their shoppers as a way to increase sales. You’ve probably seen sample in magazines as well, for the same reason. “Samples sell!” It’s funny, but a natural reaction that many people are hesitant to try new things. However, if you offer them a free sample you can help alleviate any worries they may have. Once they try your product and realize they like it, they will usually become a regular customer.

Party plan and sampling go hand in hand, so having a demonstration that allows potential customers to get involved, taste, smell, touch and try out your products will allow the guests at these events to get hands-on experience. Once someone tries or touches an item, it is easier for them to imagine themselves using and enjoying the benefits of it on a regular basis. This proven method can definitely increase your sales.

You can also use a free sample to motivate people to order from you or increase the size of their order. For example, if you sell Watkins products, you could offer a free sample of a dip mix, a lotion, soup mix, or a spice with each order. Offer a bigger sample for a bigger order. You may also include one or two sample-sized products when you give your repeat customer their order. Give them a product to try that they haven’t ordered before. You can also include samples in your catalogs or other promotional materials.

While it is true that some people will take your samples yet have no interest in ever becoming a paying customer. A good number of people may enjoy your products so much that they become steady, loyal customers. Samples sell for you, make the small investment as they are an excellent way to promote your direct sales business and increase your sales.

Melody Thacker jumps out of bed every morning, excited about the bright shiny new day, and the endless possibilities it holds. Her passion is helping others with her direct sales business.

Samples Sell Are You Using Them In Your Direct Sales Business?

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