Home | e-Magazine | e-Products | e-Books | Handmade Originals | Licensed Art

Today I had the honor of interviewing Tina, a direct sales consultant with Scentsy.

Why did you choose to become a Scentsy consultant?
I chose Scentsy because I absolutely love candles, but having young children (and pets) at home made burning traditional candle unsafe.

And, I believe in practicing safe scents. I love that these products are safer and healthier than traditional candles. Since there are literally no flames you don’t have to worry about forgetting to extinguish the candles before you leave home. Also, since the wax is melted at a low temperature it does not evaporate; therefore, I don’t worry about what my family is inhaling―the wax remains in the warmer and is not released into the air to pollute our lungs, walls, or furniture.

I also chose Scentsy because it is just plain fun! It is exciting to see people experience Scentsy for the very first time―as they discover their favorite scents and their favorite Scentsy products.

Finally, I saw the great opportunity to become a part of a young, fast growing direct sales company and I was impressed with their start-up kit―the low price and kit products were (are) unbelieveable.

When did you start your career as a consultant for Scentsy?
I began my career with Scentsy in September of 2009.

I first learned about Scentsy in the spring of 2009 when a co-worker had a basket party and brought the basket to work with her. My co-worker was hosting a party for her sister who was just starting her Scentsy business. I learned all about Scentsy. Later that fall I asked my friend if her sister was still doing Scentsy. She told me that she was and she was doing quite well and was already a "Star Consultant". That's when I began talking with my friend's sister and now she is my sponsor.

How long did it take you to start earning a profit?
My first commission check was more than double the cost of my starter kit. The key is to keep it simple and don’t spend a lot on “extras”―things that don’t earn you money. That way, it does not take long to start earning profit with Scentsy.

How has the business worked around your family?
I love the way I am able to work Scentsy around my family. Most of my business has been from hosting basket parties. As a consultant all I do is drop off a basket of scent testers with order forms, catalogs, a warmer, and a few wax samples. Then my hostess takes the basket with her for a week of sharing with friends, family, and even co-workers. She then gathers all the orders. A week later I pick up the basket and the orders and place a hostess order with Scentsy. It's so easy! It doesn't take up much of my time and I receive the same commission as I do on a home party.

What was the most difficult thing about starting your business?
For me it's will power―not spending all of my profit on the wonderful Scentsy products! I would have thought that telling people about Scentsy and asking them to host parties would be the most difficult thing, but everyone has been very supportive―and it's easy to share something you actually enjoy. Once I share my experience with the Scentsy products, most people will offer to host a party―and I never have to ask them.

What do you do to make your business successful, while still meeting your mom duties?
I have to set a schedule and then stick with that schedule. This allows me to make my family my number one priority. I also use a few minutes here and there for calling customers and hostesses as I wait for my kids during their sports practices. I love that I can work my business around my family’s schedule and work as much or as little as I want.

Where do you find your clientele for Scentsy parties?
I have done a few craft shows with good results, but I find the best way to find customers, and hostesses for parties, is just by sharing Scentsy with everyone I meet.

What have you found to be your best form of advertising?
Setting up displays in public places, like doctor’s offices and beauty salons. I set up a display with a warmer, a few samples to melt, order forms, and a catalog. Then I let the product speak for itself. It truly is a great way to advertise. Basket parties are another great way to advertise―talk about word of mouth advertising!

These two forms of advertising allow people to experience Scentsy first-hand and they take up very little of my time. I also find that the monthly company newsletter, which I can customize and then send out to current and potential customers, is very helpful. It highlights the scent and warmer of the month as well as other promotions and contains a link to my personal website―where customers can order products themselves or contact me to place an order for them.

How do you help your Scentsy downline promote their businesses?
I think that the support of your upline is essential to the success of your business. In order to help my downline promote their businesses, I am available to answer all business-related questions and steer them in the right direction.

Next, I would find out what they want from Scentsy: such as what their goals are, how much time and effort they are willing to invest, etc. This would help us determine a plan of action and how I can help them succeed in reaching those goals. Of course there are training calls and webinars that are available too.

Is there ever a time you call it quits with a downline?
It is my job to help my downline be successful in whatever their goals for their business might be. Therefore, I would do whatever I could do to help them succeed. However, I think that honesty is very important. If I found out that someone was being dishonest or not following the company’s policies and procedure then I would have a hard time trusting and working with them.

If a mom were to say to you, "I want to work from home, but I just cannot sell. What would you say?
I am definitely not a salesperson. I am really rather shy in person and yet, I have done well with Scentsy. When someone asks what is new with me I just share Scentsy with them. I give them a catalog and/or bring over the scent testers for them to try and once they see the warmers and smell the scents, they fall in love with the products. I would never say that anything "sells itself". Yet, the Scentsy products come pretty close to "selling themselves".

Thank you very much for allowing me to interview you.

Visit her consultant site at: Scentsy