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Why Direct Sellers should wear a Style Uniform


Do you struggle with what to wear every day? Do you spend hours trying to figure out what to wear only to have a pile of clothes to hang up? Let’s make your life simple, easy, and fun! A style uniform is exactly what you need.

style uniformIntroducing your Style Uniform

Don’t let the term “uniform” scare you!

A Style Uniform is an outfit consisting of generally the same items.  For example, my uniform consists of the following pieces:  Jeans, Dress shoes/boots depending the season (get cool rain boots too), black shirt/blouse, and a jacket. Similarly, your Style Uniform could be a dress and jean jacket because it’s simple.  Hats, jewelry, and scarves add dimension and fun.   Lastly, your uniform might be black pants, heels, blouse, and a jacket.

Over time, your Style Uniform may change.

I have been donning the same Style Uniform for 10 years.  Of course, I have had to change sizes but the “uniform” doesn’t change. That’s what makes it so easy whether you are leaving early in the morning or afternoon.  I know when my children were young, it was a process just to get ready.  I left the house at 5 style uniformpm after our oldest son arrived home from school.  Between getting the sitter to the house, making dinner, changing diapers, cleaning up the chaos, and putting everything in the car for work, the last thing I needed to worry about was my attire!

The look of a neutral palette is simple yet looks chic.  The business owner on the left wears jeans, t-shirt, and a blazer.  In fact, add a statement necklace with a simple bracelet and her outfit can go from work at home to out on the town!

The Style Uniform is pure magic.

The best part is that you probably have your Style Uniform in your closet.  Organize your uniform then get rid of anything that doesn’t complement it.  – are a large part of my Style Uniform because they allow me to wear neutral clothing every day.  Most often, I rely on accessories (jewelry, shoes, scarf) to provide the necessary pop of color.

style uniformFind YOUR Style Uniform.

Peek inside your closet and choose your favorite outfits. Do they make up a Style Uniform? Or do you spend hours every day choosing your outfit for the day? Are you struggling to find your uniform?  Maybe you need to change your uniform and aren’t sure where to start? Please contact me HERE.

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Style BLT Method: How to create the illusion to look 10 lbs less

style bltThe Style BLT Method is the magic of image and the illusion of style providing peace of mind and self confidence to those struggling with “those last 10 pounds”.  Personally, it’s been ten years and those ten pounds became twenty.  So frustrating! I’ve heard so many people say, “the last 10 pounds are so hard to lose”,  and I have said the same thing myself.   The struggle is real ladies!  The last ten pounds are DIFFICULT.  Learn how to create some style magic and let your wardrobe and accessories work to your advantage! Let’s take care of this problem through the Style BLT method.

The Style BLT Method

The magic of image and the illusion of style –  I give you permission to relax and check out your jewelry box and closet while experiencing a Style BLT.

Belt style weight1.  BELT IT! A quick fix when wearing a monochromatic* outfit as it can separate your body into thirds making it pleasing to the eye and giving the illusion that you are ten pounds less.  A belt also accentuates your waist letting your curves shine through!

2.  LONG NECKLACE!  Long necklaces are a girls best friend.  Seriously.  When wearing a long necklace, it elongates your torso giving the illusion that you are about ten pounds less.  I have had multiple customers ask me if they wore three long necklaces, would they look thirty pounds less? Always makes me laugh but no, sorry ladies!  Long necklaces are awesome; however, if the girls are large and you find yourself with a “shelf-like” situation, then a long necklace isn’t always the best fit.  In that case I would substitute a long necklace with a statement necklace.  Click here to experience the different between long necklaces vs statement necklaces.
long necklace
3.  TAILOR IT!   Your body type/shape determines how clothing should fit.   This holds true for jackets, sweaters, pants, skirts, shorts, scarves…yes, everything!  When your clothing fits properly, you feel confident, look amazing, and appear more approachable.  Think about the last time your skirt was too big and the zipper ended up in the front because it shifted!  Imagine having a floor-length skirt that is an inch too long that you keep tripping on or have to pull up.  It’s annoying isn’t it?   Find a great tailor in your neighborhood and use them to your advantage.   Everything can be tailored but not everything should be tailored.

Want more style tips like the Style BLT method?

Contact XMstyle here
Do you struggle with what to wear everyday or what to wear to work….or what to wear on vacation?  Discover exactly what clothing and accessories work for your personality, body type, and skin tone by Clicking HERE!

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Top 5 Tips for Work at Home Moms!


work at home momAre you a work at home mom or soon to be?  Our middle child was three weeks old when I began working from home.  I spent many late nights in front of the computer wrestling with dial-up internet.  Can you even imagine?  It would take me two hours sometimes to enter in the information from a party — and I only had to enter their first and last name and the items they ordered.  Our system didn’t ask for the customer’s email, phone or address.  Again, can you even imagine?

This wasn’t our first child, so having a three week old and starting a new business seemed like the perfect time to delve into something new.  I chose this career so I didn’t have to pay the exorbitant cost of day care!  We were new to the area so we didn’t have any child care contacts.  The internet was around but it took one year to get dial up to our home.  Painful.  I spent many days at the library.  Enough about me.

Here’s the skinny based on age: 

  • Infants:  They sleep and eat often so use that to your advantage!  Talk on the phone when they are eating.  Send emails, update websites, input financials and anything that requires brainwork do EARLY in the morning.  Or if you are a night owl, work on it LATE at night.
  • Toddlers:  Oh yeah….you deserve a medal at this age because your toddler most likely thinks he/she is in the olympics and is running from you UNTIL you get on the phone!  Am I right?  Then once you pick up that phone, they are whining, crying, and begging for your attention.  The nice thing is that many direct sellers and professionals can text or email their customers.  This makes customer service much easier.  I am sure there are still many times you need to hop on the phone.  Here are some tricks:
    • HIDE.  You know what I mean.  I used to walk away from them the entire time I was on the phone.  I made it into a “game” where it was the “Let’s chase mom QUIETLY” game.  Bribery of some sort of food was given at the end.
    • Have 3 toys that they are only allowed to play with when you are on the phone.  You must be diligent on this.  The only time they can play with those three toys is when you are on the phone.  This could be an electronic game, a favorite educational or musical app, a special book, or fun toy.  Absolutely stay away from the NOISY toys as it defeats the purpose!
  • work at home mom crayonsSchool-age Children:  I love goal setting and start my school age children out with this as early as five.  As a work at home mom, we have the advantage of knowing what content they are reading and listening to everyday. We discuss goal setting throughout the year.  Yep…  the young ones LOVE this!  I love when they have that ‘a-ha’ moment and realize they accomplished their goal!  Goal-setting starts them on a mindset to creating and achieving goals each week, month, year.    During the summer months, we have a schedule each day.  I break it down as follows:
    • Time with Mom (i.e. my technology is turned off)
    • Chores (age appropriate).  I give them a time limit to finish the chore.  This has worked best in our home.  I’ve tried it all and I now use Alexa to set a timer for the designated time.  For example, I needed to clean the bathrooms (joy) while the younger boys needed to clean their room.  I set the alarm for 1.5 hours as I knew it was feasible for everyone to finish their chores in that amount of time.  I have tried “rushing” the timer on certain chores for like 15 minutes and the boys said, “Mom, you don’t want us rushing, do you?  We are never going to finish it and it’s going to look sloppy.”  Fair enough boys.  You win that one!
    • Work time.  Create rules.  Rules detailing what you expect while you are in your office.  (If you work on your kitchen table then so be it….that’s your office and they must respect that.)
    • Children thrive on systems.  When you find your system, stick to it.  Each child is different (sigh).  I thought when I had the third boy that I would know what to do from birth to graduation.  Wrong again.  They all have their wonderful personalities.  One cries if you look at him cross-eyed, another laughs when he is in trouble, another one is such a rule follower that he wants to boss me around.  lol.
  • set goals teensPre-teens and Teens:  You become a professional uber and work at home mom at this time if your kids are into sports, theater, music, martial arts, dance, or any extracurricular anything.  And depending on where your middle/high school is will determine how long your uber rides are each day. Our high school is 20-25 minutes away.  Yikes.
    • Books on Tape / Podcasts:  Listen to books on tape while you are “ubering”.  They pick up great information.  And, it’s coming from a professional on tape (lol), not their mom!
    • Ride Share:  If at all possible, find another parent with a child in your same extra curricular activity and ride share. Sometimes, this can be very difficult if you don’t live near the majority of the students.  Don’t give up because there are genuinely kind people that will help you out!
    • Family Calendar:  Beg for their calendars in advance.  This will be your life saver.  Because you work at home, you can work around their schedule.  Whoa!  I know.  It’s not that easy.

Lastly, have a style uniform to help you look and feel great while you are doing ninety million things.  Looking for more biz tips or have questions?   Simply Click Here. and have an AWESOME day!

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National Conference: 7 Reasons why every Direct Seller should attend

attend conferenceHave you thought about attending a national conference but just didn’t see the need for it? Do you live far from where the national conference is held? Do you struggle with justifying the cost of conference? Are you nervous because you don’t know anyone? Are you nervous because you have never traveled alone? Are you struggling to find childcare?  I have had hundreds of teammates ask me these exact questions. Have confidence in yourself! Lastly, if you struggle with self-confidence, PLEASE attend your companies’ conference. You will not regret it.

Attend National Conference.  Let FRIENDS help!

Friends.

Are you attending conference for the first time alone?  No worries.  You will meet new people at lunch, in your sessions, at vendor sessions, in the hallways, at dinner, etc.  Similarly, the first conference I attended I knew one person and stayed with someone in our group that I had never met.  We remain friends to this day.  Over the years, you look forward to seeing the same people over and over.  If you can’t bear the thought of going alone, take a friend or your spouse.  Typically, guests are allowed at a reduced fee.

Real Cool Tools.

With technology and social media changing at the speed of light, direct sales companies are staying competitive and sharing new tools with their teams. Usually, companies will roll out a new tool during the conference to spread excitement throughout the room. You will be the first to hear about any new technology and the first to experience the new tools. The tools might go live while you are sitting in the room or they might have hands-on stations for you to test the new tools. In addition, you might get to talk 1 on 1 with the technology expert, or they may have a seminar dedicated to that specific piece of technology.

Nevertheless, I cannot believe how much technology has changed in this industry in the past 12 years. I love the simplicity of sending invitations, sending videos, and sharing social media content.  Above all, I love that we have professional graphics to post to social media in seconds.  Genius.

Invest in Yourself.

As the saying goes, if you don’t invest in yourself, who will? It’s important to invest in yourself as a direct seller. You work from home the majority of the time maybe chasing kids or caring for elderly parents, or maybe you have a “full time” job too. Attending a conference sets you apart from thousands of others that don’t attend their conference. They may not see the big picture while you do.

What is the big picture? In some cases, it’s a path to financial freedom. Immersing yourself at a national conference not only provides education, networking, motivation, but also gives you the ability to combine all of that information, share it with your team (if you have one), share the excitement with your friends/family, learn exactly what you need to do to reach your goals, learn how to reach your goals, network with those that you never ever in a million zillion years would meet, and so much more!

Education.

Even if you are not an education junkie, you will have fun learning this content. Many times, they intertwine incentives (like trips, freebies, etc) with new content. So much of the time the content comes from others you meet such as teammates you often don’t see, other conference attendees, experts or influencers that speak.

Do you immerse yourself in blogs, podcasts, cd’s, and books? Yep, me too! I cannot think of anything that replaces building relationships while learning. Going to a conference and receiving so much fantastic content that  it takes two months to perfect is exactly why I go every year.

Network with Experts & Influencers.

This is a terrific time to meet other leaders, trainers, corporate executives, and influencers. You want them to remember you and your conversation so take a picture and share on your social media platform, friend them on facebook (or other social favorite), or get their contact information. Many times, you will have a chance to meet the key-note speaker as they will have a table selling their products just outside the venue. In short, giving you the opportunity to ask quick questions and get their information and product. I had the pleasure of meeting an influencer, Claudia Krusch at the last conference. She shared social media tips with us at the lunch table. It was awesome because you could tell she genuinely cared for us as women and as successful business owners.

Direct Motivation.

Typically, you hear stories of overcoming obstacles. The company always picks stories that tear your heart apart requiring you the need to squeeze your butt cheeks together so you don’t cry.  As you can imagine, if you share mutual experiences as that of the speaker, it’s painful. I’m not gonna lie. When you hear stories of losing everything, then starting again, building again, and doing the little things every day to build your business, you know YOU CAN DO IT TOO.

We need those stories to know that we are not in this alone in this big crazy world, and that we can do the same small things every single day. Some people are motivated with incentives such as free product, trips, vehicles, etc. As expected, they always announce the fun incentives at the national conference and, sometimes, give away free product. Interestingly, some companies give away multiple items while others give away none. I have been a part of both. It depends on the company and the product.

Setting yourself up as an Expert.

This is the name of the game. Stories sell and knowledge is power. You gain both at any conference. You are hearing stories that you can use as your own. You are gaining a wealth of knowledge to share with your team and customers.

Ultimately, I hope you attend your national conference this year!  Here’s a quick reference list on what to take to make your stay comfortable! I cannot wait to connect.  Please sign up for our newsletter to receive new tips and tricks every month. XM style helps business owners get noticed through style, personal branding, and communication.  Think ABC – Appearance, Branding, Communication.

Lastly, do you want to learn more about direct sales and how it can work with your lifestyle?  Contact XMstyle