So as a some of you know, in January I started my new Mary Kay business!! :) As a new Independent Beauty Consultant, I was very excited to talk to my family and friends and people on the street about my new business and have them try the products that I had tried and fallen in love with. Of course my family and friends would support me, they stand behind me on everything else that I do, right?
Wrong.
While my wonderful mother (who was wary about my taking on yet ANOTHER responsibility) supported me by helping me host my first party with my sister and grandmother, all of which bought products, they didn't share my immediate enthusiasm. Thankfully, they have come around and while they still may not be enthused about Mary Kay like I am just yet, they support me whole-heartedly and my sister binges on new products and samples on her down days. :P
My friends were another story. While a few of them were very supportive and excited for me, willing to come to parties and try the products, even if they couldn't buy anything, and to those people I am extremely grateful. Because of the few of you (and you know who you are) who have supported me thus far, I have experience and knowledge from my trial and error that I would not have, had I not been able to host parties with attendees. Those of you who have expressed enthusiasm, excitement and encouragement for me as I take this new step toward my future, you have helped me in more ways than you can know. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
However, there was still a large pool of people, the majority of my friends wouldn't return my calls or texts inviting them to my Mary Kay parties or to come over to hang out and play with makeup. They would respond to everything else I would contact them about: friend gatherings, going out, karaoke, getting coffee, etc. but whenever I mentioned makeup or Mary Kay, they would shut me out. Pretend to miss or not see my calls, and "forget" to reply to my texts. People would even comment on every Facebook status I posted, except the Mary Kay ones. Maybe they had their reasons, reasons I will never understand and probably never know since they never told me. But there is absolutely nothing worse than walking on unfamiliar ground and feeling like you're totally alone in it, with everyone silently watching you from the sidelines, waiting for you to blow it.
This was incredibly discouraging and damaging to me. It hurt that people I thought cared about me couldn't support me in this. Its a brave and scary thing to decide to be an entrepreneur, to take your future and your financial situation into your own hands. You really need people backing you up with praise and encouragement. They didn't seem to understand that although having them buy products would be nice, it wasn't what I really wanted from them. I just wanted them to be excited for me, to come to a party or to hang out one-on-one and allow me to practice on them by having them try the products so I could prepare for interacting with strangers. I would ask them to bring friends, because even if they didn't want to buy anything, they could introduce me to new people who might. Plus, if they were friends I didn't know, I could get experience interacting with strangers with my friend standing by as my safety net. Knowing they wouldn't judge me if I stumbled along in my introduction, or if I accidentally messed up the order of the facial or put the wrong foundation color on someone. But apparently, this seemed too much to ask for.
This could open a whole new can of worms where they may argue that I'm not actively involved in their lives, so why should I expect them to be involved in mine? My simple answer is that the road goes both ways. Life is crazy, and even though I may not be involved in their lives all the time, every step of the way, if they ever asked for my help, I would be there, giving all I am capable of in the moment it takes to whisper my name. All I ask, is for that same need to be returned.
I finally got sad, cried, got angry, yelled, and then decided I was done with dealing with people I knew who didn't want to help me out, even in the smallest and free-est forms. It was time to hit the streets.
But first, I went to Career Conference in Chicago this past weekend. A conference where all the MK beauty consultants, red jackets, directors and nationals in the area come for a weekend of inspiration, encouragement and revitalization. Although I was exhausted, downtrodden, and ready to give up, I forced myself to go (because, well, I'd already paid) and it was well worth it. I came home refreshed, with a new attitude, a new outlook, new friends and new inspiration, ready once again to take on the world! :)
My name tag and awarded ribbon extensions. :)
So far, I've achieved star status with Mary Kay and will be receiving my Mary Kay pin with a ladder and real sapphire stone (for my birthday month of September) in the mail any day now. Super excited about it!! I also earned my first prize and chose the new and super cute MK starter tote. :)
The bag is on the left, the cute little organizer insert is what is on the right. I. Can. Not. WAIT to get it in the mail!!! :) :) :)
In other news, I'm joining in the Spring Make Over competition, so whoever would like to get a free makeover, let me know! You would really be helping me out!! The consultant with the most make overs wins. They get a voucher for their next order, a free ticket to seminar in Texas, and/or $500-$5,000 to donate to a charity of their choice! :)
To those who have been faithful readers, despite my unfaithfulness so far at updating you on my craze-filled life, thank you. Any words of kindness or thoughts would be much appreciated. :)
All my love,
~Cassie
Posts
